Chapter 9
Chemical Bonding I:
Basic Concepts
9.6 Writing Lewis Structure
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Writing Lewis Structures
1. Draw skeletal structure of compound showing
what atoms are bonded to each other. Put least
electronegative element in the center.
2. Count total number of valence e-. Add 1 for each
negative charge. Subtract 1 for each positive
charge.
3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen.
4. If structure contains too many electrons, form
double and triple bonds on central atom as
needed.
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-2
Example 9.3
Write the Lewis structure for nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in
which all three F atoms are bonded to the N atom.
Step 1. Draw skeletal structure of compound showing what
atoms are bonded to each other. Put least electronegative
element in the center.
F N F
F
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-3
Example 9.3
Step 2. Count total number of valence electrons. Add 1 for
each negative charge. Subtract 1 for each positive charge.
The outer-shell electron
F N F configurations of:
N – 2s22p3 (5 e-)
F F – 2s22p5 (7 e-)
Total valence e- : 5 + (3 x 7) = 26
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-4
Example 9.3
Step 3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen
Draw a single covalent bond between N and each F.
Complete the octets for the F atoms by adding e-.
Place the remaining 2 e- on N.
.. . .. ...
Total valence e- : 26 ..F. N .F..
Octet rule for:
N ..F..
F ..
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-5
Example 9.4
Write the Lewis structure for nitric acid (HNO3) in which
the three O atoms are bonded to the central N atom
and the ionizable H atom is bonded to one of the O
atoms.
Step 1. Draw skeletal structure of compound showing what
atoms are bonded to each other. Put least electronegative
element in the center.
O N O H
O
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-6
Example 9.4
Step 2. Count total number of valence electrons. Add 1 for
each negative charge. Subtract 1 for each positive charge.
The outer-shell electron
O N O H configurations of:
N – 2s22p3 (5 e-)
O O – 2s22p4 (6 e-)
H – 1s1 (1 e-)
Total valence e- : 5 + (3 x 6) + 1 = 24
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-7
Example 9.4
Step 3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen
Draw a single covalent bond between N and each O, and between
O and H.
Complete the octets for the O atoms by adding e-.
..
..O N O H ..
Total valence e- : 24
.. ..
Octet rule for: ..O..
O
X N
..
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-8
Example 9.4
Step 3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen
Draw a single covalent bond between N and each O, and O and H.
Complete the octets for the O atoms by adding e-.
.. ..
Total valence e- : 24 O
.. N O
.. H
Octet rule for: ..O..
O
N
..
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-9
Example 9.5
Write the Lewis structure for the carbonate ion, (CO32- ).
Step 1. Draw skeletal structure of compound showing what
atoms are bonded to each other. Put least electronegative
element in the center.
O C O
O
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-10
Example 9.4
Step 2. Count total number of valence electrons. Add 1 for
each negative charge. Subtract 1 for each positive charge.
The outer-shell electron
O C O configurations of:
C – 2s22p2 (4 e-)
O O – 2s22p4 (6 e-)
+ 2 negative charges
Total valence e- : 4 + (3 x 6) + 2 = 24
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-11
Example 9.4
Step 3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen
Draw a single covalent bond between C and each O.
Complete the octets for the O atoms by adding e-.
..
..O C O.. ..
Total valence e- : 24 .. ..
Octet rule for: ..O..
O
X C
..
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-12
Example 9.4
Step 3. Complete an octet for all atoms except hydrogen
Draw a single covalent bond between C and each O.
Complete the octets for the O atoms by adding e-.
.. .. . 2-
Total valence e- : 24 O
.. C O
.. .
Octet rule for: ..O..
O
C
..
© McGraw-Hill Education. 9-13
