4 Lewis Structures

Learning Objectives

| Key Concepts and Summary | Glossary | End of Section Exercises |

Lewis Symbols

We use Lewis symbols to describe valence electron configurations of atoms and monatomic ions. A Lewis symbol consists of an elemental symbol surrounded by one dot for each of its valence electrons:

A Lewis structure of calcium is shown. A lone pair of electrons are shown to the right of the symbol.

Figure 1 shows the Lewis symbols for the elements of the third period of the periodic table.

A table is shown that has three columns and nine rows. The header row reads “Atoms,” “Electronic Configuration,” and “Lewis Symbol.” The first column contains the words “sodium,” “magnesium,” “aluminum,” “silicon,” “phosphorus,” “sulfur,” “chlorine,” and “argon.” The second column contains the symbols and numbers “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2,” “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 1,” “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 2,” “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 3,” “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 4,” “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 5,” and “[ N e ] 3 s superscript 2, 3 p superscript 6.” The third column contains Lewis structures for N a with one dot, M g with two dots, A l with three dots, Si with four dots, P with five dots, S with six dots, C l with seven dots, and A r with eight dots.
Figure 1. Lewis symbols illustrating the number of valence electrons for each element in the third period of the periodic table.

Lewis symbols can also be used to illustrate the formation of cations from atoms, as shown here for sodium and calcium:

Two diagrams are shown. The left diagram shows a Lewis dot structure of sodium with one dot, then a right-facing arrow leading to a sodium symbol with a superscripted plus sign, a plus sign, and the letter “e” with a superscripted negative sign. The terms below this diagram read “Sodium atom” and “Sodium cation.” The right diagram shows a Lewis dot structure of calcium with two dots, then a right-facing arrow leading to a calcium symbol with a superscripted two and a plus sign, a plus sign, and the value “2e” with a superscripted negative sign. The terms below this diagram read “Calcium atom” and “Calcium cation.”

Likewise, they can be used to show the formation of anions from atoms, as shown here for chlorine and sulfur:

Two diagrams are shown. The left diagram shows a Lewis dot structure of chlorine with seven dots and the letter “e” with a superscripted negative sign, then a right-facing arrow leading to a chlorine symbol with eight dots and a superscripted negative sign. The terms below this diagram read, “Chlorine atom,” and, “Chlorine anion.” The right diagram shows a Lewis dot structure of sulfur with six dots and the symbol “2e” with a superscripted negative sign, then a right-facing arrow leading to a sulfur symbol with eight dots and a superscripted two and negative sign. The terms below this diagram read, “Sulfur atom,” and, “Sulfur anion.”

Figure 2 demonstrates the use of Lewis symbols to show the transfer of electrons during the formation of ionic compounds.

A table is shown with four rows. The header row reads “Metal,” “Nonmetal,” and “Ionic Compound.” The second row shows the Lewis structures of a reaction. A sodium symbol with one dot, a plus sign, and a chlorine symbol with seven dots lie to the left of a right-facing arrow. To the right of the arrow a sodium symbol with a superscripted plus sign is drawn next to a chlorine symbol with eight dots surrounded by brackets with a superscripted negative sign. One of the dots on the C l atom is red. The terms “sodium atom,” “chlorine atom,” and “sodium chloride ( sodium ion and chloride ion )” are written under the reaction. The third row shows the Lewis structures of a reaction. A magnesium symbol with two red dots, a plus sign, and an oxygen symbol with six dots lie to the left of a right-facing arrow. To the right of the arrow a magnesium symbol with a superscripted two and a plus sign is drawn next to an oxygen symbol with eight dots, two of which are red, surrounded by brackets with a superscripted two a and a negative sign. The terms “magnesium atom,” “oxygen atom,” and “magnesium oxide ( magnesium ion and oxide ion )” are written under the reaction. The fourth row shows the Lewis structures of a reaction. A calcium symbol with two red dots, a plus sign, and a fluorine symbol with a coefficient of two and seven dots lie to the left of a right-facing arrow. To the right of the arrow a calcium symbol with a superscripted two and a plus sign is drawn next to a fluorine symbol with eight dots, one of which is red, surrounded by brackets with a superscripted negative sign and a subscripted two. The terms “calcium atom,” “fluorine atoms,” and “calcium fluoride ( calcium ion and two fluoride ions )” are written under the reaction.
Figure 2. Cations are formed when atoms lose electrons, represented by fewer Lewis dots, whereas anions are formed by atoms gaining electrons. The total number of electrons does not change.

Lewis Structures

We also use Lewis symbols to indicate the formation of covalent bonds, which are shown in Lewis structures, drawings that describe the bonding in molecules and polyatomic ions. For example, when two chlorine atoms form a chlorine molecule, they share one pair of electrons:

A Lewis dot diagram shows a reaction. Two chlorine symbols, each surrounded by seven dots are separated by a plus sign. The dots on the first atom are all black and the dots on the second atom are all read. The phrase, “Chlorine atoms” is written below. A right-facing arrow points to two chlorine symbols, each with six dots surrounding their outer edges and a shared pair of dots in between. One of the shared dots is black and one is red. The phrase, “Chlorine molecule” is written below.

The Lewis structure indicates that each Cl atom has three pairs of electrons that are not used in bonding (called lone pairs) and one shared pair of electrons (written between the atoms). A dash (or line) is the preferred method used to indicate a shared pair of electrons in a covalent bond:

Two Lewis structures are shown. The left-hand structure shows two H atoms connected by a single bond. The right-hand structure shows two C l atoms connected by a single bond and each surrounded by six dots.

A single shared pair of electrons is called a single bond. Each Cl atom interacts with eight valence electrons: the six in the lone pairs and the two in the single bond.

The Octet Rule

The other halogen molecules (F2, Br2, and I2) form bonds like those in the chlorine molecule: one single bond between atoms and three lone pairs of electrons per atom. This allows each halogen atom to have a noble gas electron configuration. The tendency of main group atoms to form enough bonds to obtain eight valence electrons is known as the octet rule.

The number of bonds that an atom can form can often be predicted from the number of electrons needed to reach an octet (eight valence electrons); this is especially true of the nonmetals of the second period of the periodic table (C, N, O, and F). For example, each atom of a group 14 element has four electrons in its outermost shell and therefore requires four more electrons to reach an octet. These four electrons can be gained by forming four covalent bonds, as illustrated here for carbon in CCl4 (carbon tetrachloride) and silicon in SiH4 (silane). Because hydrogen only needs two electrons to fill its valence shell, it is an exception to the octet rule. The transition elements and inner transition elements also do not follow the octet rule:

Two sets of Lewis dot structures are shown. The left structures depict five C l symbols in a cross shape with eight dots around each, the word “or” and the same five C l symbols, connected by four single bonds in a cross shape. The name “Carbon tetrachloride” is written below the structure. The right hand structures show a S i symbol, surrounded by eight dots and four H symbols in a cross shape. The word “or” separates this from an S i symbol with four single bonds connecting the four H symbols in a cross shape. The name “Silane” is written below these diagrams.

Group 15 elements such as nitrogen have five valence electrons in the atomic Lewis symbol: one lone pair and three unpaired electrons. To obtain an octet, these atoms form three covalent bonds, as in NH3 (ammonia). Oxygen and other atoms in group 16 obtain an octet by forming two covalent bonds. Fluorine and other halogens obtain an octet by forming on covalent bond.

Three Lewis structures labeled, “Ammonia,” “Water,” and “Hydrogen fluoride” are shown. The left structure shows a nitrogen atom with a lone pair of electrons and single bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The middle structure shows an oxygen atom with two lone pairs of electrons and two singly-bonded hydrogen atoms. The right structure shows a hydrogen atom single bonded to a fluorine atom that has three lone pairs of electrons.

Double and Triple Bonds

As previously mentioned, when a pair of atoms shares one pair of electrons, we call this a single bond. However, a pair of atoms may need to share more than one pair of electrons in order to achieve the requisite octet. A double bond forms when two pairs of electrons are shared between a pair of atoms, as between the carbon and oxygen atoms in CH2O (formaldehyde) and between the two carbon atoms in C2H4 (ethylene):

Two pairs of Lewis structures are shown. The left pair of structures shows a carbon atom forming single bonds to two hydrogen atoms. There are four electrons between the C atom and an O atom. The O atom also has two pairs of dots. The word “or” separates this structure from the same diagram, except this time there is a double bond between the C atom and O atom. The name, “Formaldehyde” is written below these structures. In the pair of structures on the right, the left structure shows two C atoms with four dots in between them and each forming single bonds to two H atoms. The word “or” lies to the left of the second structure, which is the same except that the C atoms form double bonds with one another. The name, “Ethylene” is written below these structures.

A triple bond forms when three electron pairs are shared by a pair of atoms, as in carbon monoxide (CO) and the cyanide ion (CN–):

Two pairs of Lewis structures are shown. The left pair of structures show a C atom and an O atom with six dots in between them and a lone pair on each. The word “or” and the same structure with a triple bond in between the C atom and O atom also are shown. The name “Carbon monoxide” is written below this structure. The right pair of structures show a C atom and an N atom with six dots in between them and a lone pair on each. The word “or” and the same structure with a triple bond in between the C atom and N atom also are shown. The name “Cyanide ion” is written below this structure.

Writing Lewis Structures with the Octet Rule

For very simple molecules and molecular ions, we can write the Lewis structures by merely pairing up the unpaired electrons on the constituent atoms. See these examples:

Three reactions are shown with Lewis dot diagrams. The first shows a hydrogen with one red dot, a plus sign and a bromine with seven dots, one of which is red, connected by a right-facing arrow to a hydrogen and bromine with a pair of red dots in between them. There are also three lone pairs on the bromine. The second reaction shows a hydrogen with a coefficient of two and one red dot, a plus sign, and a sulfur atom with six dots, two of which are red, connected by a right facing arrow to two hydrogen atoms and one sulfur atom. There are two red dots in between the two hydrogen atoms and the sulfur atom. Both pairs of these dots are red. The sulfur atom also has two lone pairs of dots. The third reaction shows two nitrogen atoms each with five dots, three of which are red, separated by a plus sign, and connected by a right-facing arrow to two nitrogen atoms with six red electron dots in between one another. Each nitrogen atom also has one lone pair of electrons.

For more complicated molecules and polyatomic ions, it is helpful to follow the step-by-step procedure outlined here:

  1. Determine the total number of valence (outer shell) electrons for the entire molecule. Recall that the number of valence electrons for an atom comes from what column that atom resides in on the periodic table. Once you have determined the electrons from each atom, you can add them up to determine the total number of valence electrons for the entire molecule.
    • If it’s a polyatomic ion, then add or subtract electrons. If it is positively charged you should remove a number of electrons equivalent to the charge. If the polyatomic ion is negatively charged you should add a number of electrons equivalent to the charge.
  2. Determine the central atom of a molecule.
      • The central atom of a molecule is often the atom that can form the most bonds.
      • It’s also often the least electronegative atom present in the molecule.
    • Hydrogen is never the central atom as it can only bond once.
    • The central atom is often listed first in the formula.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing single bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet. Each single bond represents two shared electrons.
  4. Place the remaining electrons on the central atom(s). If the central atom doesn’t have an octet, then form multiple bonds by moving two unshared electrons from a terminal atom to be shared with the central atom.
  5. If the molecule is a polyatomic ion, then draw brackets around the structure and write the charge of the molecule outside the brackets. Neutral molecules do not need brackets.

Let us determine the Lewis structures of SiH4, CO32-, NO+, and OF2 as examples, starting with SiH4:

  1. For SiH4, determine the total number of valence (outer shell) electrons in the molecule or ion.
    • For a molecule, we add the number of valence electrons on each atom in the molecule:
      +    Si:  4 valence electrons/atom  ×  1 atom       =  4
      +    H:   1 valence electron/atom   ×  4 atoms     =  4  
      =                                                                                =  8 valence electrons
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule.
    • Remember that the central atom of a molecule is often the least electronegative atom, which in this case is silicon, Si.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.
    • Remember that when you are attaching a terminal atom to the central atom you have to draw a single line between the two atoms. Additionally hydrogen only needs two electrons to be stable so the single bond between silicon and hydrogen is sufficient.

Lewis structure for SiH4. Silicon is in the center, and is singly bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

  1. Place leftover electrons on the central atoms. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet, then create multiple bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms.
    • Silicon has an octet already, two electrons from each bond. The correct Lewis structure for this step is the same as the structure depicted above.
  2. If the molecule is a polyatomic ion, draw a bracket around the molecule and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • SiH4 is not ionic, so the final Lewis structure is the same as depicted above.

For CO32- the process is largely the same:

  1. Determine the total number of valence (outer shell) electrons in the molecule or ion.
    • For a negative ion, such as CO32-, we add the number of valence electrons on the atoms, plus two more electrons:
      [latex]\begin{array}{r r l} {\text{CO}_3}^{2-} & & \\[1em] & \text{C: 4 valence electrons/atom} \times 1 \;\text{atom} & = 4 \\[1em] & \text{O: 6 valence electrons/atom} \times 3 \;\text{atoms} & = 18 \\[1em] \rule[-0.5ex]{21.5em}{0.1ex}\hspace{-21.5em} + & 2\;\text{additional electrons} & = 2 \\[1em] & & = 24 \;\text{valence electrons} \end{array}[/latex]
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule.
    • Carbon is the least electronegative atom in this molecule.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.
    • Remember that when you are attaching a terminal atom to the central atom you have to draw a single line between the two atoms.

Rough Lewis structure for CO3. Carbon is in the center and is singly bonded to three oxygens. The oxygens have an octet but carbon does not.

  1. Place leftover electrons on the central atoms. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet, then create multiple bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms.
    • There are no more electrons to place on the central carbon, but carbon does not yet have an octet. To give carbon an octet, we will bind it one more time to one of the currently bonded oxygen atoms. Which atom we choose does not matter in this example, but this will become important for the later topics of resonance structures and pi conjugation.

Lewis structure for CO3. Carbon is singly bonded to two carbons, and is double bonded to one carbon. All atoms have an octet of electrons.

  1. If the molecule is a polyatomic ion, draw a bracket around the molecule and write the charge outside the bracket.
    •  CO32- is ionic so we draw brackets around the molecule and denote the charge of 2- outside the brackets.

Final Lewis structure for CO3 2-. Carbon is singly bonded to two oxygen atoms and double bonded to the third oxygen. The entire molecule is drawn in brackets with a minus two written in the upper right hand corner outside the brackets.

For NO+ the process is as follows:

  1. Determine the total number of valence (outer shell) electrons in the molecule or ion.
    • For a positive ion, such as NO+, we will subtract one electron from the total number of valence electrons:
      [latex]\begin{array}{r r l} \text{NO}^{+} & & \\[1em] & \text{N: 5 valence electrons/atom} \times 1 \;\text{atom} & = 5 \\[1em] & \text{O: 6 valence electrons/atom} \times 1 \;\text{atom} & = 6 \\[1em] \rule[-0.5ex]{21em}{0.1ex}\hspace{-21em} + & -1 \;\text{electron (positive charge)} & = -1 \\[1em] & & = 10 \;\text{valence electrons} \end{array}[/latex]
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule.
    • Since there are only two atoms in this compound, we don’t refer to one atom as being central.
  3. Attach the atoms by drawing bonds between the two atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that one atom has an octet.
  4. Place leftover electrons on the other atom. If both atoms don’t have an octet, then create multiple bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms.

Rough lewis structure for NO. Nitrogen is singly bonded to oxygen. Nitrogen has one lone pair for a total of four electrons around it while oxygen has an octet.

    • Nitrogen does not have an octet at this point, so nitrogen needs to bond two more times to oxygen to form a triple bond.

Final lewis structure for NO. Nitrogen is bonded to oxygen three times for a triple bond. Each atom has one lone pair to make an octet.

  1. If the molecule is a polyatomic ion, draw a bracket around the molecule and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • NO+ is ionic so we draw brackets around the molecule and denote the charge of the ion, 1+, outside the brackets.

Final lewis structure for nitrogen encased in brackets with a plus charge outside the brackets in the upper right corner.

For OF2 the process is as follows:

  1. Determine the total number of valence (outer shell) electrons in the molecule or ion.
    • Since OF2 is a neutral molecule, we simply add the number of valence electrons:
      [latex]\begin{array}{r r l} \text{OF}_{2} & & \\[1em] & \text{O: 6 valence electrons/atom} \times 1 \;\text{atom} & = 6 \\[1em] \rule[-0.5ex]{21em}{0.1ex}\hspace{-21em} + & \text{F: 7 valence electrons/atom} \times 2 \;\text{atoms} & = 14 \\[1em] & & = 20 \;\text{valence electrons} \end{array}[/latex]
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule.
    • Oxygen is less electronegative than fluorine, so oxygen is the central atom.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.
    • Remember that when you are attaching a terminal atom to the central atom you have to draw a single line between the two atoms.

Rough lewis structure for O F 2. Oxygen is singly bonded to each fluorine atom. Each fluorine atom has 3 lone pairs for a total of 8 electrons around each.

  1. Place leftover electrons on the other atom. If both atoms don’t have an octet, then create multiple bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms.

Final lewis structure for O F 2. Oxygen is bonded to each fluorine atom once. The oxygen atom has two lone pairs and the fluorine atoms each have 3 lone pairs. All atoms have an octet.

  1. If the molecule is a polyatomic ion, draw a bracket around the molecule and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • OF2 is not ionic so the final Lewis structure is the same as depicted above.

Example 1

Writing Lewis Structures
NASA’s Cassini-Huygens mission detected a large cloud of toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN) on Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. Titan also contains ethane (H3CCH3), acetylene (HCCH), and ammonia (NH3). What are the Lewis structures of these molecules?

Solution

HCN

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons. (1 × 1) + (4 × 1) + (5 × 1) = 10
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: Carbon is the least electronegative, so carbon is the central atom.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

Rough lewis structure for H C N. Carbon is singly bonded to hydrogen on the left and singly bonded to nitrogen on the right. The nitrogen has 3 lone pairs for a total of 8 electrons.

  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms.

    • HCN does not have a complete octet around the carbon so two additional bonds are needed.

Final Lewis structure for HCN. The central carbon is singly bonded to one hydrogen, and triple bonded to the nitrogen. The nitrogen also has one lone pair.

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket. HCN is not ionic, so no brackets are necessary and the above structure is the final Lewis structure.

H3CCH3

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons. (1 × 3) + (2 × 4) + (1 × 3) = 14
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: Carbon is the least electronegative, so the carbon atoms are the central atoms.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

Lewis structure for C subscript 2 H subscript 6. Two carbon atoms are singly bonded. Each carbon atom then has 3 hydrogen atoms singly bonded to it.

    • We can consider the multiple carbon atoms in H3CCH3 as all being the central atoms since they are equivalent.
  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms.
  2. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket. H3CCH3 is not ionic, so no brackets are necessary and the above structure is the final Lewis structure.

HCCH

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons. (1 × 1) + (2 × 4) + (1 × 1) = 10
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: Carbon is the least electronegative, so the carbon atoms are the central atoms.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

Rough Lewis structure for C subscript 2 H subscript 2. There is an H atom on the left that is singly bonded to a carbon atom. The carbon atom is then singly bonded to another carbon atom. That carbon atom is singly bonded to hydrogen atom.

    • We can consider the multiple carbon atoms in HCCH as all being the central atoms since they are equivalent.
  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms. The central atoms have octets.

Rough Lewis structure for C subscript 2 H subscript 2. There is a H atom at the left that is singly bonded to a carbon atom. The carbon atom has 1 lone pair and is singly bonded to another carbon atom. That carbon atom has a single lone pair and is singly bonded to a hydrogen atom.

    • HCCH does not have a complete octet around each carbon so additional bonds are needed.

Final Lewis structure for HCCH. The two central carbons are bonded to each other with a triple bond. Each carbon is also bonded to one hydrogen atom.

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket. HCCH is not ionic, so no brackets are necessary and the above structure is the final Lewis structure.

NH3

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons. (5 × 1) + (3 × 1) = 8
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: Nitrogen is the least electronegative, so the nitrogen atom is the central atom.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

Rough Lewis structure of ammonia. A central nitrogen atom is singly bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms, arranged in a trigonal planar arrangement.

  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms. The central atoms have octets.

Final Lewis structure for ammonia. The nitrogen atom is singly bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms and has a single lone pair. The 3 H atoms are arranged near the bottom of the N and the lone pair is on top.

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket. NH3 is not ionic, so no brackets are necessary and the above structure is the final Lewis structure.

Check Your Learning
Both carbon monoxide, CO, and carbon dioxide, CO2, are products of the combustion of fossil fuels. Both of these gases also cause problems: CO is toxic and CO2 has been implicated in global climate change. What are the Lewis structures of these two molecules?

Answer:

Two Lewis structures are shown, one for carbon monoxide and one for carbon dioxide. On the left we see a Lewis structure for carbon monoxide. The carbon atom has 1 lone pair and is triply bonded to an oxygen atom. The oxygen atom also has a single lone pair. On the right is the Lewis structure for carbon dioxide. A central carbon atom is doubly bonded to an oxygen atom on its left (which has 2 lone pairs) and is doubly bonded to an oxygen atom on its right (which has 2 lone pairs).

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Many covalent molecules have central atoms that do not have eight electrons in their Lewis structures. These molecules fall into three categories:

  • Electron-deficient molecules have a central atom that has fewer than eight electrons.
  • Hypervalent molecules have a central atom that has more than eight electrons.
  • Free radicals have an odd number of valence electrons, and therefore have an unpaired electron.

Electron-deficient Molecules

We will encounter a few molecules that contain central atoms that do not have an octet of valence electrons, such as hydrogen, beryllium, and boron in BH3. Generally, these are molecules that contain central atoms from groups 2 and 13, outer atoms that are hydrogen, or other atoms that do not form multiple bonds. For example, in the Lewis structures of beryllium dihydride, BeH2, and boron trihydride, BH3, the beryllium and boron atoms each have only four and six electrons, respectively.

Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows a beryllium atom single bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The right shows a boron atom single bonded to three hydrogen atoms.

Hypervalent Molecules

Elements in the second period of the periodic table (n = 2) can accommodate a maximum of eight electrons in their valence shell orbitals because they have only four valence orbitals (one 2s and three 2p orbitals). Elements in the third and higher periods (n ≥ 3) can accommodate more than four pairs of electrons in their valence shells as lone pairs or bonded pairs shared with other atoms. Molecules formed from these elements are sometimes called hypervalent molecules. Figure 3 shows the Lewis structures for two hypervalent molecules, PCl5 and SF6.

Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows a phosphorus atom single bonded to five chlorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons. The right shows a sulfur atom single bonded to six fluorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons.
Figure 3. In PCl5, the central atom phosphorus shares five pairs of electrons. In SF6, sulfur shares six pairs of electrons.

In some hypervalent molecules, such as IF5 and XeF4, some of the electrons in the outer shell of the central atom are lone pairs:

Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows an iodine atom with one lone pair single bonded to five fluorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons. The right diagram shows a xenon atom with two lone pairs of electrons single bonded to four fluorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons.

When we write the Lewis structures for these molecules, we find that we have electrons left over after filling the valence shells of the outer atoms with eight electrons. These additional electrons must be assigned to the central atom.

Example 2

Writing Lewis Structures: Octet Rule Violations
Xenon is a noble gas, but it forms a number of stable compounds. We examined XeF4 earlier. What are the Lewis structures of XeF2 and XeF6?

Solution
We can draw the Lewis structure of any covalent molecule by following the five steps discussed earlier. In this case, we can condense the last few steps, since not all of them apply.

XeF2

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons: 8 + (2 × 7) = 22
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: The central atom is xenon since noble gases do not want any additional electrons, as they have fully filled subshells, and thus have very low electronegativities.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

A rough Lewis structure of xenon difluoride is shown. The xenon atom is in the middle with a F atom above (with 3 lone pairs) and an F atom below (with 3 lone pairs).

  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms. In this instance the xenon atom will be hypervalent and have more than eight electrons surrounding it, violating the octet rule.

Final Lewis structure for xenon difluoride. The central xenon atom is in the middle with 3 lone pairs. There is a F atom on top (with 3 lone pairs) and an F atom on bottom (with 3 lone pairs).

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • This molecule is not ionic so the final Lewis structure is the same as depicted above.

XeF6

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons: XeF6: 8 + (6 × 7) = 50
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: The central atom is xenon since noble gases do not want any additional electrons, as they have fully filled subshells, and thus have very low electronegativities.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the central atom and terminal atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all terminal atoms have an octet.

Rough Lewis structure of xenon hexafluoride. The central xenon atom is surrounded by 6 fluorine atoms. Each fluorine atom has 3 lone pairs.

  1. Place the remaining electron pairs on the central atom. If the central atom doesn’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms. In this instance the xenon atoms will be hypervalent and have more than eight electrons surrounding it, violating the octet rule.

Final Lewis structure of xenon hexafluoride. The central xenon atom has a single lone pair and is surrounded by 6 fluorine atoms, each with 3 lone pairs.

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • This molecule is not ionic so the final Lewis structure is the same as depicted above.

Check Your Learning
The halogens form a class of compounds called the interhalogens, in which halogen atoms covalently bond to each other. Write the Lewis structures for the interhalogens BrCl3 and ICl4−.

Answer:

Two Lewis structures are shown. The left depicts a bromine atom with two lone pairs of electrons single bonded to three chlorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons. The right shows an iodine atom, with two lone pairs of electrons, single boned to four chlorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons. This structure is surrounded by brackets and has a superscripted negative sign.

Odd-electron Molecules

Free radicals are neutral molecules that contain an unpaired electron often as a result of possessing an odd number of valence electrons. Nitric oxide, NO, is an example of an odd-electron molecule; it is produced in internal combustion engines when oxygen and nitrogen react at high temperatures.

To draw the Lewis structure for an odd-electron molecule like NO, we follow the same five steps we would for other molecules, but the results of these steps might look slightly different.

  1. Calculate the number of valence electrons. The sum of the valence electrons is 5 (from N) + 6 (from O) = 11. The odd number immediately tells us that we have a free radical, so we know that not every atom can have an octet in the Lewis structure.
  2. Determine the central atom of the molecule: Since there are only two atoms in this compound, we don’t refer to one atom as being central.
  3. Attach the remaining atoms by drawing bonds between the atoms, then distribute the remaining electron pairs so that all atoms have an octet.
  4. If all atoms don’t have an octet create multiple bonds between the central and terminal atoms. Since we have an odd number of total electrons, an atom must carry the free radical electron. While all atoms can have the unpaired electron, it is generally better to place it on the least electronegative atom. This will be explored in the module on resonance structures.

Rough Lewis structure for NO. Nitrogen is singly bonded to the oxygen atom. Oxygen has three lone pairs. Nitrogen has one lone pair and one free radical electron.

    • Nitrogen only has five electrons around it, so nitrogen needs another bond to have seven valence electrons. Since the total number of valence electrons is 11, nitrogen will never have an octet. This is important as molecules with free radicals are highly reactive due to their propensity to form a closed shell.

Completed lewis structure for NO. There are two bonds between nitrogen and oxygen, and the free radical is placed on the nitrogen.

  1. If the molecule was ionic, draw brackets around the Lewis structure and write the charge outside the bracket.
    • NO is not ionic so the final Lewis structure is the same as depicted above.

Key Concepts and Summary

Valence electronic structures can be visualized by drawing Lewis symbols (for atoms and monatomic ions) and Lewis structures (for molecules and polyatomic ions). Lone pairs, unpaired electrons, and single, double, or triple bonds are used to indicate where the valence electrons are located around each atom in a Lewis structure. Most structures—especially those containing second row elements—obey the octet rule, in which every atom (except H) is surrounded by eight electrons. Exceptions to the octet rule occur for odd-electron molecules (free radicals), electron-deficient molecules, and hypervalent molecules.

Glossary

double bond
covalent bond in which two pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms
free radical
molecules that contains an unpaired electron
hypervalent molecule
molecule containing at least one main group element that has more than eight electrons in its valence shell
Lewis structure
diagram showing lone pairs and bonding pairs of electrons in a molecule or an ion
Lewis symbol
symbol for an element or monatomic ion that uses a dot to represent each valence electron in the element or ion
lone pair
two (a pair of) valence electrons that are not used to form a covalent bond
octet rule
guideline that states main group atoms will form structures in which eight valence electrons interact with each nucleus, counting bonding electrons as interacting with both atoms connected by the bond
single bond
bond in which a single pair of electrons is shared between two atoms
triple bond
bond in which three pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms

Chemistry End of Section Exercises

  1. Write the Lewis symbols for each of the following ions:
    1. As3–
    2. I–
    3. Be2+
    4. O2–
    5. Ga3+
    6. Li+
    7. N3–
  2. Write the Lewis symbols of the ions in each of the following ionic compounds:
    1. MgS
    2. Al2O3
    3. GaCl3
    4. K2O
    5. Li3N
    6. KF
  3. In the Lewis structures listed here, M and X represent various elements in the third period of the periodic table. Write the formula of each compound using the chemical symbols of each element:
    1. Two Lewis structures are shown side-by-side, each surrounded by brackets. The left structure shows the symbol M with a superscripted two positive sign. The right shows the symbol X surrounded by four lone pairs of electrons with a superscripted two negative sign outside of the brackets.
    2. Two Lewis structures are shown side-by-side, each surrounded by brackets. The left structure shows the symbol M with a superscripted three positive sign. The right structure shows the symbol X surrounded by four lone pairs of electrons with a superscripted negative sign and a subscripted three both outside of the brackets.
    3. Two Lewis structures are shown side-by-side, each surrounded by brackets. The left structure shows the symbol M with a superscripted positive sign and a subscripted two outside of the brackets. The right structure shows the symbol X surrounded by four lone pairs of electrons with a superscripted two negative sign outside of the brackets.
    4. Two Lewis structures are shown side-by-side, each surrounded by brackets. The left structure shows the symbol M with a superscripted three positive sign and a subscripted two outside of the brackets. The right structure shows the symbol X surrounded by four lone pairs of electrons with a superscripted two negative sign and subscripted three both outside of the brackets.
  4. Write the Lewis structure for the diatomic molecule P2, an unstable form of phosphorus found in high-temperature phosphorus vapor.
  5. Write Lewis structures for the following:
    1. O2
    2. H2CO
    3. AsF3
    4. ClNO
    5. SiCl4
    6. H3O+
    7. NH4+
    8. BF4−
    9. HCCH
    10. ClCN
    11. C22+
  6. Write Lewis structures for the following:
    1. SeF6
    2. XeF4
    3. SeCl3+
    4. Cl2BBCl2 (contains a B–B bond)
  7. Write Lewis structures for:
    1. PO43−
    2. ICl4−
    3. SO32−
    4. HONO
  8. Correct the following statement: “The bonds in solid PbCl2 are ionic; the bond in a HCl molecule is covalent. Thus, all of the valence electrons in PbCl2 are located on the Cl– ions, and all of the valence electrons in a HCl molecule are shared between the H and Cl atoms.”
  9. Methanol, H3COH, is used as the fuel in some race cars. Ethanol, C2H5OH, is used extensively as motor fuel in Brazil. Both methanol and ethanol produce CO2 and H2O when they burn. Write the chemical equations for these combustion reactions using Lewis structures instead of chemical formulas.
  10. Many planets in our solar system contain organic chemicals including methane (CH4) and traces of ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C2H6), propyne (H3CCCH), and diacetylene (HCCCCH). Write the Lewis structures for each of these molecules.
  11. Carbon tetrachloride was formerly used in fire extinguishers for electrical fires. It is no longer used for this purpose because of the formation of the toxic gas phosgene, Cl2CO. Write the Lewis structures for carbon tetrachloride and phosgene.
  12. The arrangement of atoms in several biologically important molecules is given here. Complete the Lewis structures of these molecules by adding multiple bonds and lone pairs. Do not add any more atoms.
    1. the amino acid serine: A Lewis structure is shown. A nitrogen atom is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom. The carbon atom is single bonded to a hydrogen atom and two other carbon atoms. One of these carbon atoms is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom. The oxygen atom is bonded to a hydrogen atom. The other carbon atom is single bonded to two oxygen atoms, one of which is bonded to a hydrogen atom.
    2. urea: A Lewis structure is shown. A nitrogen atom is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom. The carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom and another nitrogen atom. That nitrogen atom is then single bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
    3. pyruvic acid: A Lewis structure is shown. A carbon atom is single bonded to three hydrogen atoms and another carbon atom. The second carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom and a third carbon atom. This carbon is then single bonded to two oxygen atoms, one of which is single bonded to a hydrogen atom.
    4. uracil: A Lewis hexagonal ring structure is shown. From the top of the ring (moving clockwise), three carbon atoms, one nitrogen atom, a carbon atom, and a nitrogen atom are single bonded to each another. The top carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom. The second and third carbons and the nitrogen atom are each single bonded to a hydrogen atom. The next carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom, and the last nitrogen atom is single bonded to a hydrogen atom.
    5. carbonic acid: A Lewis structure is shown. A carbon atom is single bonded to three oxygen atoms. Two of those oxygen atoms are each single bonded to a hydrogen atom.
  13. A compound with a molar mass of about 42 g/mol contains 85.7% carbon and 14.3% hydrogen by mass. Write the Lewis structure for a molecule of the compound.
  14. Two arrangements of atoms are possible for a compound with a molar mass of about 45 g/mol that contains 52.2% C, 13.1% H, and 34.7% O by mass. Write the Lewis structures for the two molecules.
  15. How are single, double, and triple bonds similar? How do they differ?

Answers to Chemistry End of Section Exercises

  1. (a) eight electrons: A Lewis dot diagram shows the symbol for arsenic, A s, surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted three negative sign.;
    (b) eight electrons: A Lewis dot diagram shows the symbol for iodine, I, surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted negative sign.;
    (c) no electrons: Be2+;
    (d) eight electrons: A Lewis dot diagram shows the symbol for oxygen, O, surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted two negative sign.;
    (e) no electrons: Ga3+;
    (f) no electrons: Li+;
    (g) eight electrons: A Lewis dot diagram shows the symbol for nitrogen, N, surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted three negative sign.
  2. (a)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol M g with a superscripted two positive sign while the right shows the symbol S surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted two negative sign.;
    (b)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol A l with a superscripted three positive sign while the right shows the symbol O surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted two negative sign.;
    (c)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol G a with a superscripted three positive sign while the right shows the symbol C l surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted negative sign.;
    (d)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol K with a superscripted positive sign while the right shows the symbol O surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted two negative sign.;
    (e)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol L i with a superscripted positive sign while the right shows the symbol N surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted three negative sign.;
    (f)Two Lewis structures are shown. The left shows the symbol K with a superscripted positive sign while the right shows the symbol F surrounded by eight dots and a superscripted negative sign.
  3. (a) MgS; (b) AlCl3; (c) Na2S; (d) Al2S3
  4. A Lewis diagram shows two phosphorus atoms triple bonded together each with one lone electron pair.
  5. (a)A Lewis structure shows two oxygen atoms double bonded together, and each has two lone pairs of electrons. (In this case, the Lewis structure is inadequate to depict the fact that experimental studies have shown two unpaired electrons in each oxygen molecule);
    (b) A Lewis structure shows a carbon atom that is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and double bonded to an oxygen atom. The oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons.;
    (c)A Lewis structure shows an arsenic atom single bonded to three fluorine atoms. Each fluorine atom has a lone pair of electrons.;
    (d)A Lewis structure shows a nitrogen atom with a lone pair of electrons single bonded to a chlorine atom that has three lone pairs of electrons. The nitrogen is also double bonded to an oxygen which has two lone pairs of electrons. ;
    (e)A Lewis structure shows a silicon atom that is single bonded to four chlorine atoms. Each chlorine atom has three lone pairs of electrons.;
    (f)A Lewis structure shows an oxygen atom with a lone pair of electrons single bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The structure is surrounded by brackets with a superscripted positive sign.;
    (g)A Lewis structure shows a nitrogen atom single bonded to four hydrogen atoms. The structure is surrounded by brackets with a superscripted positive sign.;
    (h)A Lewis structure shows a boron atom single bonded to four fluorine atoms. Each fluorine atom has three lone pairs of electrons. The structure is surrounded by brackets with a superscripted negative sign.;
    (i)A Lewis structure shows two carbon atoms that are triple bonded together. Each carbon is also single bonded to a hydrogen atom.;
    (j)A Lewis structure shows a carbon atom that is triple bonded to a nitrogen atom that has one lone pair of electrons. The carbon is also single bonded to a chlorine atom that has three lone pairs of electrons.;
    (k)A Lewis structure shows two carbon atoms joined with a triple bond. A superscripted 2 positive sign lies to the right of the second carbon.
  6. (a)A Lewis structure shows a selenium atom single bonded to six fluorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons.;
    (b)A Lewis structure shows a xenon atom with two lone pairs of electrons. It is single bonded to four fluorine atoms each with three lone pairs of electrons.;
    (c) A Lewis structure shows a selenium atom with one lone pair of electrons single bonded to three chlorine atoms each with three lone pairs of electrons. The whole structure is surrounded by brackets.;
    (d) A Lewis structure shows two boron atoms that are single bonded together. Each is also single bonded to two chlorine atoms that both have three lone pairs of electrons.
  7. (a);
    (b)Resonance Structure for ICl4. The central iodine atom is singly bonded to four chlorine atoms. The central iodine atom also has two lone pairs.;
    (c);
    (d)
  8. Two valence electrons per Pb atom are transferred to Cl atoms; the resulting Pb2+ ion has a 6s2 valence shell configuration. Two of the valence electrons in the HCl molecule are shared, and the other six are located on the Cl atom as lone pairs of electrons.
  9. Two reactions are shown using Lewis structures. The top reaction shows a carbon atom, single bonded to three hydrogen atoms and single bonded to an oxygen atom with two lone pairs of electrons. The oxygen atom is also bonded to a hydrogen atom. This is followed by a plus sign and the number one point five, followed by two oxygen atoms bonded together with a double bond and each with two lone pairs of electrons. A right-facing arrow leads to a carbon atom that is double bonded to two oxygen atoms, each of which has two lone pairs of electrons. This structure is followed by a plus sign, a number two, and a structure made up of an oxygen with two lone pairs of electrons single bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The bottom reaction shows a carbon atom, single bonded to three hydrogen atoms and single bonded to another carbon atom. The second carbon atom is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom with two lone pairs of electrons. The oxygen atom is also bonded to a hydrogen atom. This is followed by a plus sign and the number three, followed by two oxygen atoms bonded together with a double bond. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons. A right-facing arrow leads to a number two and a carbon atom that is double bonded to two oxygen atoms, each of which has two lone pairs of electrons. This structure is followed by a plus sign, a number three, and a structure made up of an oxygen with two lone pairs of electrons single bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
  11. Two Lewis structures are shown. The left depicts a carbon atom single bonded to four chlorine atoms, each with three lone pairs of electrons. The right shows a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom that has two lone pairs of electrons. The carbon atom is also single bonded to two chlorine atoms, each of which has three lone pairs of electrons.
  12. (a)A Lewis structure is shown. A nitrogen atom is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom. The carbon atom is single bonded to a hydrogen atom and two other carbon atoms. One of these carbon atoms is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and an oxygen atom. The oxygen atom is bonded to a hydrogen atom. The other carbon is single bonded to two oxygen atoms, one of which is bonded to a hydrogen atom. The oxygen atoms have two lone pairs of electron dots, and the nitrogen atom has one lone pair of electron dots.;
    (b)A Lewis structure is shown. A nitrogen atom is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom. The carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom and one nitrogen atom. That nitrogen atom is then single bonded to two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electron dots, and the nitrogen atoms have one lone pair of electron dots each.;
    (c)A Lewis structure is shown. A carbon atom is single bonded to three hydrogen atoms and a carbon atom. The carbon atom is single bonded to an oxygen atom and a third carbon atom. This carbon is then single bonded to two oxygen atoms, one of which is single bonded to a hydrogen atom. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electron dots.;
    (d)A Lewis hexagonal ring structure is shown. From the top of the ring, three carbon atoms, one nitrogen atom, a carbon atom and a nitrogen atom are single bonded to one another. The top carbon is single bonded to an oxygen, the second and third carbons and the nitrogen atom are each single bonded to a hydrogen atom. The next carbon is single bonded to an oxygen atom and the last nitrogen is single bonded to a hydrogen atom. The oxygen atoms have two lone pairs of electron dots, and the nitrogen atoms have one lone pair of electron dots.;
    (e)A Lewis structure is shown. A carbon atom is single bonded to three oxygen atoms. Two of those oxygen atoms are each single bonded to a hydrogen atom. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electron dots.
  13. A Lewis structure is shown. A carbon atom is single bonded to three hydrogen atoms and another carbon atom. The second carbon atom is double bonded to another carbon atom and single bonded to a hydrogen atom. The last carbon is single bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
  15. Each bond includes a sharing of electrons between atoms. Two electrons are shared in a single bond; four electrons are shared in a double bond; and six electrons are shared in a triple bond.

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