SAMPLE PROBLEM 10.3
Writing Lewis Structures for Molecules with Multiple Bonds
PLAN:
SOLUTION:
PROBLEM:
Write Lewis structures for the following:
(a) Ethylene (C2H4), an important reactant in the manufacture of polymers
(b) Nitrogen (N2), the most abundant atmospheric gas
For molecules with multiple bonds, Step 5 follows the other steps in Lewis structure construction. If a central atom does not have 8 e- (an octet), then electrons can be moved to form a multiple bond.
(a) There are 2(4) + 4(1) = 12 valence electrons. H can have only one bond per atom.
:
(b) N2 has 2(5) = 10 valence electrons. Therefore, a triple bond is required to make the octet around each N.
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