The best Lewis structure for the nitrite ion (NO2) is
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
It seems I can’t view the image you shared. However, I can help you understand the Lewis structure for the nitrite ion (NO₂⁻) and provide a detailed explanation.
Correct Lewis Structure for Nitrite Ion (NO₂⁻):
The nitrite ion (NO₂⁻) has a total of 18 valence electrons:
- Nitrogen (N) contributes 5 electrons (from Group 15 of the periodic table).
- Oxygen (O) contributes 6 electrons for each oxygen atom, and since there are two oxygens, this contributes 12 electrons.
- The negative charge adds 1 more electron, bringing the total to 18.
Steps to Draw the Lewis Structure:
- Determine the Central Atom:
Nitrogen (N) is less electronegative than oxygen (O), so it will be the central atom in the structure. - Connect Atoms:
Draw a single bond between the nitrogen and each oxygen. A single bond uses two electrons, so 4 electrons (2 for each bond) are used in this step. - Distribute the Remaining Electrons:
After placing the bonds, you have 14 electrons left to place. Distribute these electrons first as lone pairs on the oxygen atoms. Each oxygen will have 6 electrons around it (since oxygen typically follows the octet rule). - Complete the Octet on Nitrogen:
After placing lone pairs on the oxygen atoms, nitrogen has only 4 electrons around it (from the two bonds), so it does not yet have a full octet. To complete the octet, one of the lone pairs from an oxygen will be shared to form a double bond between nitrogen and that oxygen. - Consider the Charge:
The negative charge is placed on the oxygen atom with the single bond, as it will have an extra electron. This gives the ion its negative charge.
Final Structure:
- Nitrogen has a single bond with one oxygen and a double bond with the other oxygen.
- The oxygen with the single bond carries a negative charge.
- Each oxygen atom has lone pairs to complete their octet.
- Nitrogen has a formal charge of 0, while one oxygen has a formal charge of -1.
This structure satisfies the octet rule for all atoms and accounts for the negative charge of the ion.
I can also generate a detailed image of the Lewis structure if you’d like! Would you like me to do that?