Lewis Dot Structures

Team Chemistry Lanier H.S.

Part 1: Review of Lewis Dot Symbols

To Draw a Lewis Dot Symbol:

1. Write the symbol for the atom 2. Find the number of valence electrons (use Periodic Table) 3. For every valence electron, draw dot around the symbol
Example #1: Sodium

Na
*Sodium has 1 valence electron, so we draw one dot.

Arrangement of Electrons
Pretend theres a box around the symbol Draw the first e- on one side of the box, then rotate to the next side and draw another Keep rotating until youve drawn them all
Example #2: Carbon

C
*Carbon has 4 valence electrons

Arrangement of Electrons
Up to two electrons can be on each side Valence e- prefer to be in pairs (one of the reasons atoms bond with other atoms is to pair up their valence e-)
Example #3: Sulfur

S
*Sulfur has 6 valence electrons

Can use drawing to determine the charge! Sulfur will gain 2 e- to get to 8, so charge is -2.

Part 2: Lewis Dot Structures

Lewis Dot Structures are used to depict basic structures of covalent compounds

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 1: Figure out the skeletal structure
the least electronegative atom goes in the middle (the central atom) Hydrogen and halogens will occupy end positions (only one bond will go to them)
Example 1: Methane (CH4)

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 2: Total the number of valence electrons for all atoms

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 3: Draw a single bond connecting the atoms.
For each bond you draw, subtract 2 valence electrons from your total

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 4: Use the remaining electrons to complete octets.
Remember, hydrogen only needs 2 ve- to have a full outer energy level -a single bond to H is enough!
Example 2: Ammonia (NH3)

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 5: Check for octets. If every atom now has an octet. Youre done. If not, go to step 6.
Octets!

Octets!

Steps to Writing Lewis Dot Structures

Step 6: Use double or triple bonds to complete octets for any atoms that dont have them.
Example 3: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Practice!
1. CF4 2. Cl2 3. SO2 4. N2 Try each of these, then compare your structure with your lab partners.

Resonance Structures

Try this:
Draw the Lewis Dot Structure of nitrate ion (NO3-1)

Look at your structure. Could it have been drawn another way?

A slight problem . . .
The original Lewis Dot structure that you drew for nitrate ion is not entirely correct The correct Lewis Dot structure for nitrate ion can only be achieved by a supposition of all three seemingly correct structures Nitrate ion, however, only has one correct structure it is an AVERAGE of all three bond lengths and strengths

Resonance
Resonance occurs when more than one valid LDS exists for a molecule A correct structure for a molecule with resonance is an average of all of the bond lengths and angles The electrons are actually not locked into positions they are delocalized, they move all around the molecule

More Practice:
1. Ozone (O3)

2. SO3 and SO3-2

(sulfur trioxide vs. sulfite ion)

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Octet Rule Basics

A full outer energy level (valence shell) will cause most atoms to be stable Most atoms need 8 valence electrons to be stable H and He only have one energy level, and can only hold 2 valence electrons total

General Rules

C, N, O, and F will obey the octet rule Second row elements NEVER exceed the octet rule

Exceptions
B and Be often have fewer than 8 electrons around them very reactive (electrondeficient) 3rd row and heavier elements sometimes exceed the octet rule by using their d orbitals

What should you do . . .

In the Lewis structure, satisfy the octet first. If electrons are left over, put them on elements that have d orbitals

What should you do . . .

If more than one element could accept the extra electrons, assume the central element wants them

Even More Practice:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Boron trifluoride Phosphorus pentachloride Chlorine trifluoride Xenon trioxide Beryllium dichloride Iodine tetrachloride