Draw the Lewis structure for each of the following molecules: d. ClNO₂ (N is the central atom)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons in ClNO₂. Chlorine (Cl) has 7 valence electrons, nitrogen (N) has 5, and each oxygen (O) has 6. Add these together to find the total number of valence electrons.
2. Determine the central atom, which is nitrogen (N) in this case, and arrange the other atoms around it. Connect the central nitrogen atom to the chlorine (Cl) and the two oxygen (O) atoms with single bonds initially.
3. Distribute the remaining valence electrons to satisfy the octet rule for the outer atoms first (Cl and O atoms). Each atom should have 8 electrons in its valence shell, except for hydrogen, which follows the duet rule.
4. If there are not enough electrons to satisfy the octet rule for the central atom (N), consider forming double bonds. In this case, you may need to form a double bond between nitrogen and one of the oxygen atoms.
5. Check the formal charges on each atom to ensure the most stable structure. The best Lewis structure will have the smallest formal charges on each atom, ideally with the negative formal charge on the more electronegative atom.

Key Concepts

Lewis Structure

A Lewis structure is a diagram that represents the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. It uses dots to represent valence electrons and lines to represent bonds between atoms. Understanding how to draw Lewis structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry and predicting the behavior of molecules in chemical reactions.

Valence Electrons

Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom that are involved in forming bonds with other atoms. The number of valence electrons determines how an atom can bond and interact with others. For the molecule ClNO₂, knowing the valence electrons of chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen is crucial for accurately constructing its Lewis structure.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. It is influenced by the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons around the central atom. Understanding molecular geometry helps predict the shape of the molecule, which is important for determining its reactivity and interactions with other molecules, particularly in the case of ClNO₂.