If there is a negative charge add one electron to the total for every negative charge. If there is a positive charge indicated on the molecular formula subtract one electron for every positive charge indicated. Since the molecular formula has no charge indicated in the molecular formula then no electron adjustment is needed for the total. Determine which atom or atoms will be in the center. Chlorine atoms have a valence of one since there is only one unpaired valence electron and therefore could not possibly be a central atom.
Carbon atoms are tetravalent, and therefore, can have four bonding pairs around each carbon atom.
Therefore, these carbon atoms would be in the center. Arrange the central atoms and the other atoms distributed as symmetrical as possible around the central atoms. Using the valence electrons available from step 1, connect all the atoms together in one cohesive unit using bonding pairs symbolized by a dash for each bonding pair. Check each atom to see if it obeys the Octet Rule which says that an atom in order to be the most stable must have eight valence electrons with the exception of Hydrogen which must have only two electrons in their valence region to be stable. If any valence electrons have yet to be assigned or atoms do not aparently follow the Octet Rule then check for possible multiple bonding where more than one bonding pair may exist between two of the atoms in the structure.