The Lewis structure for XeF4 shows the distribution of the valence electrons.
There are 12 electrons (6 pairs) at Xe. Elements like those highlighted in the periodic table from the third row and beyond can accommodate more than an octet (4 electron pairs) about them.
| Group 18 Xe (8 x 1) | 8 electrons |
| Group 17 F (7 x 4) | 28 electrons |
| total electrons available | 36 electrons |
| used in single bonds (4 x 2) | -8 electrons |
| remaining electrons | 28 electrons |
| used to complete octets at F (4 × 6) | -24 electrons |
| placed at Xe (2 x 2) | -4 electrons |
There are 12 electrons (6 pairs) at Xe. Elements like those highlighted in the periodic table from the third row and beyond can accommodate more than an octet (4 electron pairs) about them.
