Draw Lewis structure(s) for the acetaldehyde molecule (CH
CHO). If there are equivalent resonance structures, draw of them. • Draw one structure per sketcher box, and separate added sketcher boxes with the
symbol. • Do not include overall ion charges or formal charges in your drawing. • Do not draw double bonds to oxygen unless they are needed in order for the central atom to obey the octet rule. CH
CHO:
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The Lewis structure for acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) consists of a two-carbon backbone, an oxygen atom, and hydrogen atoms arranged to satisfy valency and octet requirements. To construct the structure, the first step involves determining the total valence electrons. Carbon has four valence electrons, hydrogen has one, and oxygen has six, resulting in a total of 18 valence electrons.
The skeletal structure places the central carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and linked to the second carbon, which is attached to a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom. To satisfy the octet rule, the oxygen forms a double bond with the second carbon, ensuring proper electron distribution. Lone pairs on oxygen complete its octet.
The formal charge calculations confirm stability, ensuring minimal charge separation. The structure does not exhibit significant resonance because the oxygen prefers a localized double bond rather than electron delocalization. The absence of unnecessary charges maintains molecular stability.
Each atom achieves appropriate electron distribution: carbon atoms obey the octet rule, hydrogen forms single bonds, and oxygen completes its valency. Understanding this representation aids in predicting acetaldehyde’s chemical behavior, such as interactions in oxidation reactions. The presence of the carbonyl functional group influences reactivity, making acetaldehyde a key intermediate in organic synthesis.
This structure aligns with molecular geometry principles, ensuring correct bond angles and spatial arrangement. Acetaldehyde’s shape follows trigonal planar geometry around the carbonyl carbon due to sp² hybridization, affecting its physical and chemical properties. Bond strengths and electron distribution determine reactivity patterns, crucial for applications in polymer chemistry and biological systems. Such structural insights enhance comprehension of organic compound behavior, aiding in rationalizing reactivity trends and functional group transformations.
