In: Chemistry
Why does the lewis dot structure for NO2 have the lone pair on the nitrogen atom?
How does that adhere to the formal charge guidelines?
The provided ion is nitrite ion,NO2- . Thus, one nitrogen and two oxygen atoms are present in the nitrite ion. The total number of valence electron in nitrogen and oxygen atom is 5 and 6 respectively. Thus, draw one pair of electrons between two bond as shown below:
Analysis of provided structure shows that octet of nitrogen and oxygen is incomplete. Thus, move a pair of electron from oxygen atom to bond. Now, the correct Lewis structure of provided molecule is as shown below:
The Lewis structure of provided nitrite ion shows that a lone pair of electron is present on both oxygen atoms. Thus, shifting of electron pair is possible in nitrite ion structure. Hence, the possible resonance structure is as shown below: