(••) By moving an electron pair, draw a better Lewis structure that minimizes formal charges. (a)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atoms with formal charges in the given Lewis structure. Here, the oxygen has a negative charge, and the carbon adjacent to it has a positive charge.
2. Recall that a better Lewis structure minimizes formal charges by redistributing electrons. Consider moving a lone pair of electrons from the negatively charged oxygen to form a double bond with the positively charged carbon.
3. Draw the new structure with the double bond between the oxygen and carbon, ensuring that the octet rule is satisfied for both atoms.
4. Re-evaluate the formal charges on the oxygen and carbon after forming the double bond. The goal is to have formal charges as close to zero as possible.
5. Verify that the overall charge of the molecule remains unchanged and that all atoms have complete octets where applicable.

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 help visualize the arrangement of electrons and the connectivity of atoms, which is crucial for understanding molecular geometry and reactivity. In organic chemistry, drawing accurate Lewis structures is essential for predicting the behavior of molecules in chemical reactions.

Formal Charge

Formal charge is a concept used to determine the charge of an atom in a molecule based on its valence electrons and the electrons it shares in bonds. It is calculated by taking the number of valence electrons, subtracting the number of non-bonding electrons, and half the number of bonding electrons. Minimizing formal charges in a Lewis structure leads to a more stable and favorable molecular configuration.

Electron Pair Movement

Electron pair movement refers to the process of shifting electron pairs in a Lewis structure to achieve a more stable arrangement of atoms and minimize formal charges. This can involve forming new bonds or breaking existing ones, which alters the connectivity of the molecule. Understanding how to effectively move electron pairs is crucial for optimizing Lewis structures and predicting molecular behavior.