Answer
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Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons.
For ClF^4 +, chlorine (Cl) is in the 17th group of the periodic table and has 7 valence electrons. Fluorine (F) is in the 17th group and has 7 valence electrons as well. Since there is one positive charge, we remove one electron from the ClF^4 + ion, giving us a total of 27 valence electrons (28 - 1).
Step 2: Draw a rough sketch of the structure.
Place the central atom, chlorine, in the center and surround it with fluorine atoms. Since there are 4 fluorine atoms, arrange them in a tetrahedral shape around the chlorine atom.
Final Answer
The best Lewis structure for ClF^4 + is: \ Chem{ \overset{- 1}{\underset{+}{\ce{Cl}}}-\underset{-\charge}{\ce{F}}-\underset{-\charge}{\ce{F}}-\underset{-\charge}{\ce{F}}-\underset{-\charge}{\ce{F}} } where the formal charge for each atom is shown next to the atom.
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