Lewis structure for Nitrogen Dioxide

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the correct Lewis structures for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). The user presents seven possible structures and seeks clarification on their validity. Key points include the concept of resonance, where the actual structure is a hybrid of multiple Lewis structures, particularly highlighting the significance of structures 3 and 4. The conversation touches on the placement of electrons, emphasizing that while electrons are typically placed on more electronegative atoms, the delocalization of electrons in resonance structures contributes to the molecule's stability. It is noted that any valid valence structure with a total of 23 electrons can contribute to the overall wavefunction of the molecule. The importance of specific structures for qualitative descriptions is also acknowledged, with a focus on the resonance effect in stabilizing the molecule.
Bipolarity
Messages
773
Reaction score
2
I am pondering on what the correct Lewis structure(s) for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) may be...
I have come up with 7 possible structures, but am unsure which are correct and which are not. I have compiled a small list of notes for your convenience and they are all in this picture.

Which structure(s) are correct and which are incorrect and why?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/202/nitrogendioxide.jpg/
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Its a resonance structure that is a combination of structures 3 and 4:
951452623.Ch.2.gif

Think about benzene. Its lewis structure isn't actually this:
benzene.gif

in reality its Lewis structure is this:
Benz3.png

because the double bonds are constantly changing position.
 
CrimpJiggler said:
Its a resonance structure that is a combination of structures 3 and 4:
951452623.Ch.2.gif

Think about benzene. Its lewis structure isn't actually this:
benzene.gif

in reality its Lewis structure is this:
Benz3.png

because the double bonds are constantly changing position.

But shouldn't the electrons be placed on the more electronegative atom, i.e. oxygen, so that nitrogen gets the lone pair, giving it Lewis structures 1 and 2?
 
It is chemical resonance, as CrimpJiggler said, but its not so much that the electrons are in constant fluctuation, but rather the odd electrons that could be bonded or non-bonded are involved in a sort of delocalized electron orbital that surrounds the entire molecule, apparently the delocalization of the electrons actually lowers their potential, making the resonant molecule more stable than either standard lewis formation.
 
In fact, you any valence structure which is compartible with none of the orbitals being filled by more than two electrons and a total of 23 electrons is valid and will contribute to some extent to the true wavefunction of the molecule. The relative importance of the structures depends not only on the molecule itself but also on the orbital basis considered (i.e. s and p type or hybrids, orthogonalized or not).
Nevertheless the two structures shown in the video will probably be most important, at least for a qualitative description of the molecule.
 
I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
Back
Top