Chemistry 80 Diagnostics, Kendy Chen

1) Sol1: We can find the element that corresponds to the electron configuration by looking
at the periodic table

Sol2: Count the total number of electrons, and find the corresponding element with the
same atomic number (more useful when we don’t have many electrons)

a) Carbon (C)
Sol1: the second row, 4A
Sol2: 2+2+2, 6 electrons, so it is carbon

b) Oxygen (O)
Sol1: the second row, 6A
Sol2: 2+2+4=8, 8 electrons, so it is oxygen

c) Phosphorus (P)
Sol1: the third row, 5A
Sol2: 2+2+6+2+3=15, 15 electrons, so it is phosphorus

d) Chlorine (Cl)
Chemistry 80 Diagnostics, Kendy Chen

Sol1: the third row, 7A

Sol2: 2+2+6+2+5=17, 17 electrons, so it is chlorine

a) For a lone pair (oxygen) next to a cationic carbon atom, the lone pair is brought toward
the cationic carbon atom to make a pi bond, which makes the ion more stable.
b) Allylic positively charged atoms can bring the pi bond towards the cationic atom. With
the resonance structure formed, it is more stable.
c) CN is an electron-withdrawing group (EWG), it can better stabilize the ion.
d) There is a carbocation in its allylic position. It forms a resonance structure, which
stabilizes the ion.
e) The bond between C-N is stronger than C-C due to its EN differences, so it is more
stable.
Chemistry 80 Diagnostics, Kendy Chen