Lewis Structure Generator
Carbon disulfide · CS2

CS2 Lewis Structure

Carbon forms two C=S double bonds, giving S=C=S. Each sulfur keeps two lone pairs, carbon has no lone pairs, and the molecule is linear.

Open CS2 in the generatorSee drawing steps
CS₂
:S=C=S:
Two lone pairs on each sulfur
Total valence electrons16
Bond orders2 and 2
Central lone pairs0
GeometryLinear, 180°

CS2 overview

Carbon contributes four electrons and two sulfur atoms contribute twelve. The stable zero-formal-charge drawing uses two double bonds and two lone pairs on each terminal sulfur.

How to draw CS2

  1. Count 16 valence electrons.
  2. Use the S–C–S skeleton with carbon in the center.
  3. Fill sulfur octets with lone pairs.
  4. Convert one lone pair from each sulfur into a second bond.
  5. Verify S=C=S, zero formal charges and two electron domains around carbon.

Geometry and polarity

Two bonding domains make the molecule linear. The identical terminal atoms make the bond dipoles cancel in the ideal symmetric structure.

Common mistakes

  • Stopping at two single bonds.
  • Putting lone pairs on carbon.
  • Drawing a bent molecule.
  • Giving sulfur three lone pairs after forming a double bond.

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026. Educational reference only.