Lewis Structures

[decibel]

i'm having trouble drawing up some lewis structures related to VSPER theory.
i was given 22 Lewis structures to draw and i had problems with these ones...

1 - [N(CHsubscript3)subscript4]^+
2 - IClsubscript2
3 - [IClsubscript4]^-

thanks if anyone can help out with these questions.

[Cyclovenom]

i'm having trouble drawing up some lewis structures related to VSPER theory.
i was given 22 Lewis structures to draw and i had problems with these ones...

1 - [N(CHsubscript3)subscript4]^+
2 - IClsubscript2
3 - [IClsubscript4]^-

thanks if anyone can help out with these questions.

Try visiting the Chemistry forum in Other Sciences, i remember doing this exercices, but a long time ago :smile:

[Sirus]

Were you taught the 5-step method for drawing Lewis structures?

[maverick280857]

Hi

Here's something known as the Clarke method for drawing Lewis Structures. I read it from a General Chemistry book by Dr. Hubbard (I forget the complete name). I've found it very effective and thought I should share it with you folks.

1. Find the TOTAL number of electrons (n_{e}) for a species. For ICl_{4}^{-} this would be 7+4(7)+1 = 36.
2. Next compute the quantity (6y+2) where y is the total number of atoms minus hydrogen (for H_{2}O this would be 1).
3. Compare n_{e} and (6y+2):

(a) if n_{e} < (6y+2) then the species contains a double bond. For ICl4-, 6y+2 = 32 which is less than 36 by 4 so there is either a triple bond or two double bonds (and you can see that there are actually 2 double bonds here).

(b) if n_{e} = 6y+2, the structure contains only single bonds. As an example consider the water molecule. For it, n_{e} = 8 and 6y+2 = 8.

(c) if n_{e} > (6y+2) the central atom has an expanded octet (which means it cannot belong to the second period as the second period elements do not have d-orbitals). For example, IF_{7} has n_{e} = 7+7(7) = 56 and 6y+2 = 6(8)+2 = 50.

Note that this method will only take you a bit further in making the structure but won't tell you the crucial information: that of connectivities. You must then use formal charges and some experience to rule out incorrect structures if more than one is possible.

Cheers
Vivek