Why does AlCl3 form the dimer Al2Cl6?

AlCl3 has a trigonal planar structure. There is an aluminium atom with 3 sp2 hybridised orbitals which bond to 3 chlorine atoms. The bond angle is 120 degrees. Each chlorine atom shares 1 electron with aluminium in the chemical bond in order to complete it's valence shell. Aluminium has 3 valence electrons and gets 3 more by sharing one with each of the 3 chlorine atoms which brings its total valence electron count to 6 electrons. In order to complete its electron shell aluminium requires 2 more electrons. Chlorine has 6 electrons which aren't involved in bonding which form 3 non bonding pairs. In order to complete aluminium's valence electron shell two AlCl3 molecules dimerise. A chlorine atom from each of the two molecules forms a dative covalent bond with one of its lone electron pairs to the aluminium centre making the molecule Al2Cl6

JW
Answered by Jonathan W. Chemistry tutor

56831 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the reasons why the rates of strontium and barium with water is different


State how you would test a solution for the presence of sulfate ions? Explain, using an ionic equation, what you would expect to observe in the presence of sulfate ions.


What is the Le Chatelier's principle?


Explain, in terms of frequencies, why solutions of transition metal ions are often coloured.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning