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

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the atoms with formal charges: Nitrogen has a negative charge and carbon has a positive charge.
2. Recall that a better Lewis structure minimizes formal charges by redistributing electrons.
3. Consider moving a lone pair of electrons from the nitrogen atom to form a double bond with the positively charged carbon atom.
4. Redraw the structure with the new double bond between nitrogen and carbon, ensuring that nitrogen now has a formal charge of zero.
5. Verify that the formal charges are minimized: nitrogen should have a formal charge of zero, and carbon should also have a formal charge of zero.

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 this context, drawing a better Lewis structure involves rearranging electron pairs to achieve a more stable configuration.

Formal Charge

Formal charge is a theoretical charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, calculated based on the number of valence electrons, the number of non-bonding electrons, and half the number of bonding electrons. It helps assess the stability of a Lewis structure; structures with lower formal charges are generally more stable. Minimizing formal charges is essential for drawing accurate and stable Lewis structures.

Electron Pair Movement

Electron pair movement refers to the process of shifting lone pairs or bonding pairs of electrons to form new bonds or to create more favorable electron distributions in a molecule. This concept is vital when optimizing Lewis structures, as moving electron pairs can help reduce formal charges and enhance molecular stability. Understanding how to manipulate electron pairs is key to drawing better representations of molecular structures.