General Formulas for Nitrogen Dioxide

[Kendra Dods]

Nitrogen Dioxide has 17 valence electrons, therefore it has a single bond between one oxygen and a double bond between the other, creating a general formula of AX2, however I do not understand how to incorporate the lone electron on nitrogen into the general formula.

Does adding another electron, which then creates a pair work?

 

[DrClaude]

The lone electron on nitrogen makes NO₂ a free radical, which means it is highly chemically reactive.

Adding an electron gives you the ion NO₂^-, which is more stable.