The substance chlorine monoxide, ClO (g), is important in atmospheric processes that lead to depletion of the ozone layer. The ClO molecule has a dipole moment of 1.24 D and the Cl-O bond length is 1.60 Å.
(a) Determine the magnitude of the charges on the Cl and O atoms in units of the electronic charge, e.
(b) Based on the electro negativities of the elements, which atom would you expect to have a negative charge in the ClO molecule?
(c) By using formal charges as a guide, propose the dominant Lewis structure for the molecule. Are the formal charges consistent with your answers to parts (a) and (b)? Can you reconcile any differences you find?