What are the rules for drawing molecular diagrams?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the rules for drawing molecular diagrams, specifically for the molecule Pb2SO4. Participants clarify that Pb (lead) typically has oxidation states of +2 or +4 and that the sulfate ion (SO4^2-) is a common component in various molecules. The challenge arises when dealing with larger molecules, where understanding the attachment of atoms becomes complex. It is emphasized that recognizing common anions, such as sulfate and nitrate, can aid in constructing molecular diagrams.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of oxidation states in chemistry
  • Familiarity with common anions like sulfate (SO4^2-) and nitrate (NO3^-)
  • Knowledge of molecular structure and bonding principles
  • Basic skills in drawing molecular diagrams
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the rules for determining oxidation states in complex molecules
  • Learn about common polyatomic ions and their structures
  • Explore advanced molecular drawing software tools
  • Research techniques for visualizing larger molecular structures
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and professionals involved in molecular modeling or structural chemistry will benefit from this discussion.

leroyjenkens
Messages
616
Reaction score
49
If I have a molecule of pb2SO4 for example, how would I draw that? What are the rules that tell me what attaches to what? When it's only 3 or 4 atoms, it's pretty easy to draw them, but when it's more than that, I have no clue what to do.
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Never heard about such molecule -- I guess you got valence of lead wrong.

This is sulfate - and as such contains SO42- anion, which is the same in all sulfates.
 
Borek said:
Never heard about such molecule -- I guess you got valence of lead wrong.

This is sulfate - and as such contains SO42- anion, which is the same in all sulfates.

Maybe I got it wrong. I had a test today that required that I find out the oxidation states of each atom in a molecule. The molecules that contained Pb and S, I didn't know how to figure it out. If there's no shortcut rule that I can follow, I can just draw the molecule and find out the oxidation state of the atom in the molecule. But when the molecule is big, and contains more than one atom that there's no shortcut for, I don't know what to do. I can't draw it, because I can't figure out what atoms attach to the other atoms.
 
Pb is either +2 or +4. As I wrote earlier - in the case of larger molecules they are usually built of ready "blocks" - like sulfate anion, nitrate anion and so on. These have always the same composition and the same charge.
 

Similar threads

Molecular-level explanation of macroscopic phenomena: dissolving
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Which diagram of water molecules is correct?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Implementing “Ab initio” approach in molecular mechanics method
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How did 19th century scientists measure atomic and molecular weight?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Does B2 Have a Sigma Molecular Orbital?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
How Do I Draw This Shear and Moment Diagram?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Q: What is the role of antibonding orbitals in CO bonding with metals?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Rationale for 6n+2 rule for the number of pi bonds in a non-cyclic molecule
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What is maximum Pauling electronegativity or energy difference between orbitals?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Drawing diagrams in physics is so difficult for me!
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K