a. Triazine, C3H3N3, is like benzene except that in triazine every other C—H group is replaced by a nitrogen atom. Draw the Lewis structure(s) for the triazine molecule.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons in the triazine molecule. Carbon has 4 valence electrons, hydrogen has 1, and nitrogen has 5. Calculate the total by adding the valence electrons from all atoms in C3H3N3.
2. Arrange the atoms in a ring structure similar to benzene, with alternating carbon and nitrogen atoms. This will form a six-membered ring.
3. Connect the atoms with single bonds initially. Each carbon and nitrogen atom should be bonded to two other atoms in the ring.
4. Distribute the remaining valence electrons to satisfy the octet rule for each atom. Start by completing the octets of the nitrogen atoms, then the carbon atoms.
5. If there are any remaining electrons after completing the octets, consider forming double bonds between carbon and nitrogen atoms to ensure all atoms have a complete octet.

Key Concepts

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They use dots to represent electrons and lines to represent bonds between atoms. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting reactivity.

Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the same molecule that illustrate the delocalization of electrons. In molecules like triazine, resonance can occur due to the presence of multiple bonds and lone pairs, leading to different valid Lewis structures. Recognizing resonance is crucial for accurately depicting the electronic structure of a compound.

Hybridization

Hybridization is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals that can accommodate bonding in molecules. In triazine, the nitrogen and carbon atoms may undergo hybridization to form sigma bonds and accommodate lone pairs, influencing the molecule's shape and bond angles. Understanding hybridization helps in predicting molecular geometry and reactivity.