Draw nitrogen dioxide as O=N-O, with the odd electron on nitrogen, two lone pairs on the…
Contributed by StemPy LabTry it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Draw nitrogen dioxide as , with the odd electron on nitrogen, two lone pairs on the double-bonded oxygen and three on the single-bonded oxygen. Count the valence electrons, and find the formal charge on each atom.
Need a reminder? The key ideaShow
Formal charge . The best structure has the smallest formal charges, puts a negative charge on the most electronegative atom, and has no like charges side by side. Only atoms from period 3 down can hold more than eight electrons.
The worked solution
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Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. Electrons. , an odd number.
Step 2. Nitrogen. .
Step 3. Single-bonded O. .
Step 4. Double-bonded O. .
Check. , the charge of the molecule.
Answer: electrons; N , single-bonded O , double-bonded O .
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