which element has the greatest number of valence electrons available for bonding? selenium boron calcium chlorine

Chlorine has the greatest number of valence electrons available for bonding among selenium, boron, calcium, and chlorine.

Quick Scoop

• Selenium (Se) is in group 16 and has 6 valence electrons.

• Boron (B) is in group 13 and has 3 valence electrons.

• Calcium (Ca) is in group 2 and has 2 valence electrons.

• Chlorine (Cl) is in group 17 and has 7 valence electrons, which is the highest of the four.

Because chlorine has 7 electrons in its outer shell, it has the greatest number of valence electrons available for bonding in this list.