Ask Question
23 May, 22:50

Assuming the octet rule is obeyed, how many bonds and how many lone pairs will atoms of oxygen (o) and nitrogen (n) have in order to have formal charges of + 1?

+5
Answers (1)
  1. 23 May, 23:09
    0
    The Formal charge is not an actual charge of any atom, it is the hypothetical charge if all the bonds were 100% covalent.

    Oxidation state is the hypothetical charge on an atom if all the bonds are 100% ionic. There are no 100% ionic bonds.

    Formal charge (FC) calculation ...

    FC = VE - NBE - ½BE [ VE=valence electrons, NBE=non-bonding electrons, BE=bonding electrons ]

    Oxygen has six valence electrons. Oxygen can have a formal charge of + 1 with two lone pairs and one bond, but that doesn't give oxygen an octet of electrons.

    FC = 6 - 4 - 1 = + 1

    A second possibility is one lone pair and three bonds which will give oxygen a + 1 formal charge. (As in H3O^+)

    Nitrogen has five valence electrons. Nitrogen can have a formal charge of + 1 with one lone pair and two bonds. Nitrogen won't have an octet, either.

    FC = 5 - 2 - 2 = + 1

    Another possibility is no lone pairs and four bonds.

    FC = 5 - 0 - 4 = + 1
Know the Answer?
Not Sure About the Answer?
Find an answer to your question 👍 “Assuming the octet rule is obeyed, how many bonds and how many lone pairs will atoms of oxygen (o) and nitrogen (n) have in order to have ...” in 📗 Chemistry if the answers seem to be not correct or there’s no answer. Try a smart search to find answers to similar questions.
Search for Other Answers