Chemical Bonding I:

Basic Concepts
Chapter 9

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Valence electrons are the outer shell electrons of an
atom. The valence electrons are the electrons that
participate in chemical bonding.
Group e- configuration # of valence e-
1A ns1 1
2A ns2 2
3A ns2np1 3
4A ns2np2 4
5A ns2np3 5
6A ns2np4 6
7A ns2np5 7
2
Lewis Dot Symbols for the Representative Elements &
Noble Gases

3
 The Ionic Bond
Ionic bond: the electrostatic force that holds ions together in an
ionic compound.

Li + F Li+ F -
1s22s1 1s22s22p5 1s2 1s22s22p6
[He] [Ne]

LiF Li Li+ + e-

e- + F F -

Li+ + F - Li+ F -

4
Example 9.1
Use Lewis dot symbols to show the formation of aluminum
oxide (Al2O3).

The mineral corundum (Al2O3).

Example 9.1
Strategy We use electroneutrality as our guide in writing
formulas for ionic compounds, that is, the total positive charges
on the cations must be equal to the total negative charges
on the anions.

Solution According to Figure 9.1, the Lewis dot symbols of Al

and O are

Because aluminum tends to form the cation (Al3+) and oxygen

the anion (O2−) in ionic compounds, the transfer of electrons is
from Al to O. There are three valence electrons in each Al
atom; each O atom needs two electrons to form the O2− ion,
which is isoelectronic with neon.
Example 9.1
Thus, the simplest neutralizing ratio of Al3+ to O2− is 2:3; two
Al3+ ions have a total charge of +6, and three O2− ions have a
total charge of −6. So the empirical formula of aluminum oxide
is Al2O3, and the reaction is

Check Make sure that the number of valence electrons (24) is

the same on both sides of the equation. Are the subscripts in
Al2O3 reduced to the smallest possible whole numbers?
A covalent bond is a chemical bond in which two or more
electrons are shared by two atoms.

Why should two atoms share electrons?

F + F F F
7e- 7e- 8e- 8e-

Lewis structure of F2

single covalent bond lone pairs F F lone pairs

single covalent bond

lone pairs F F lone pairs

8
Lewis structure of water single covalent bonds

H + O + H H O H or H O H
2e- 8e- 2e-

Double bond – two atoms share two pairs of electrons

O C O or O C O
8e- 8e- 8e- double bonds

Triple bond – two atoms share three pairs of electrons

N N or N N
8e-8e-
triple bond
9
 Lengths of Covalent Bonds

Bond Lengths
10
Triple bond < Double Bond < Single Bond
Polar covalent bond or polar bond is a covalent
bond with greater electron density around one of the
two atoms

electron rich
electron poor
region
region e- poor e- rich

H F H F
d+ d-

11
Writing Lewis Structures
The Octet Rule
• N - A = S rule
– Simple mathematical relationship to help us write Lewis dot
formulas.
• N = number of electrons needed to achieve a noble gas
configuration.
– N usually has a value of 8 for representative elements.
– N has a value of 2 for H atoms.
• A = number of electrons available in valence shells of
the atoms.
– A is equal to the periodic group number for each element.
– A is equal to 8 for the noble gases.
• S = number of electrons shared in bonds.
• A-S = number of electrons in unshared, lone, pairs.
12
 Writing Lewis Structures
1. Draw skeletal structure of compound showing what
atoms are bonded to each other. Put least
electronegative element in the center.
2. Count total number of valence e−. Add 1 for each
negative charge. Subtract 1 for each positive
charge.
3. Draw a single covalent bond between the central
and each surrounding atom. Complete an octet for
all atoms except hydrogen, beginning with the
surrounding atoms.
4. If central atom has fewer than eight electrons, form
13
double and triple bonds on central atom as needed.
Example 9.3
Write the Lewis structure for nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) in which
all three F atoms are bonded to the N atom.

NF3 is a colorless, odorless, unreactive

gas.
Example 9.3
Solution We follow the preceding procedure for writing Lewis
structures.

Step 1: The N atom is less electronegative than F, so the

skeletal structure of NF3 is

Step 2: The outer-shell electron configurations of N and F

are 2s22p3 and 2s22p5, respectively. Thus, there are
5 + (3 × 7), or 26, valence electrons to account for in
NF3.
Example 9.3
Step 3: We draw a single covalent bond between N and each
F, and complete the octets for the F atoms. We place
the remaining two electrons on N:

Because this structure satisfies the octet rule for all the atoms,
step 4 is not required.

Check Count the valence electrons in NF3 (in bonds and in

lone pairs). The result is 26, the same as the total number of
valence electrons on three F atoms (3 × 7 = 21) and one N
atom (5).
Example 9.4
Write the Lewis structure for nitric acid (HNO3) in which the
three O atoms are bonded to the central N atom and the
ionizable H atom is bonded to one of the O atoms.

HNO3 is a strong
electrolyte.
Example 9.4
Solution We follow the procedure already outlined for writing
Lewis structures.

Step 1: The skeletal structure of HNO3 is

Step 2: The outer-shell electron configurations of N, O, and H

are 2s22p3, 2s22p4, and 1s1, respectively. Thus, there
are 5 + (3 × 6) + 1, or 24, valence electrons to
account for in HNO3.
Example 9.4
Step 3: We draw a single covalent bond between N and each
of the three O atoms and between one O atom and
the H atom. Then we fill in electrons to comply with
the octet rule for the O atoms:

Step 4: We see that this structure satisfies the octet rule for
all the O atoms but not for the N atom. The N atom
has only six electrons. Therefore, we move a lone
pair from one of the end O atoms to form another
bond with N.
Example 9.4
Now the octet rule is also satisfied for the N atom:

Check Make sure that all the atoms (except H) satisfy the octet
rule. Count the valence electrons in HNO3 (in bonds and in
lone pairs). The result is 24, the same as the total number of
valence electrons on three O atoms (3 × 6 = 18), one N atom
(5), and one H atom (1).
Example 9.5
Write the Lewis structure for the carbonate ion ( ).
Example 9.5
Solution We follow the preceding procedure for writing Lewis
structures and note that this is an anion with two negative
charges.

Step 1: We can deduce the skeletal structure of the

carbonate ion by recognizing that C is less
electronegative than O. Therefore, it is most
likely to occupy a central position as follows:
Example 9.5
Step 2: The outer-shell electron configurations of C and O
are 2s22p2 and 2s22p4, respectively, and the ion itself
has two negative charges. Thus, the total number of
electrons is 4 + (3 × 6) + 2, or 24.

Step 3: We draw a single covalent bond between C and each

O and comply with the octet rule for the O atoms:

This structure shows all 24 electrons.

Example 9.5
Step 4: Although the octet rule is satisfied for the O atoms, it is
not for the C atom. Therefore, we move a lone pair
from one of the O atoms to form another bond with C.
Now the octet rule is also satisfied for the C atom:

Check Make sure that all the atoms satisfy the octet rule.
Count the valence electrons in (in chemical bonds and in
lone pairs). The result is 24, the same as the total number of
valence electrons on three O atoms (3 × 6 = 18), one C atom
(4), and two negative charges (2).
 Two possible skeletal structures of formaldehyde (CH2O)

H
H C O H C O
H

An atom’s formal charge is the difference between the

number of valence electrons in an isolated atom and the
number of electrons assigned to that atom in a Lewis
structure.
formal charge total number
total number 1 total number
on an atom in
a Lewis
structure
=
of valence
electrons in
the free atom
- of nonbonding
electrons
- 2 ( of bonding
electrons )
The sum of the formal charges of the atoms in a molecule
or ion must equal the charge on the molecule or ion.
25
 -1 +1 C – 4 e- 2 single bonds (2x2) = 4
H C O H O – 6 e- 1 double bond = 4
2H – 2x1 e- 2 lone pairs (2x2) = 4
12 e- Total = 12

formal charge total number

total number 1 total number
on an atom in
a Lewis
structure
=
of valence
electrons in -
the free atom
of nonbonding
electrons
- 2 ( of bonding
electrons )
formal charge
on C
= 4 - 2 - ½ x 6 = -1

formal charge
on O
= 6 - 2 - ½ x 6 = +1

26
 H 0 0 C – 4 e- 2 single bonds (2x2) = 4
C O O – 6 e- 1 double bond = 4
H 2H – 2x1 e- 2 lone pairs (2x2) = 4
12 e- Total = 12

formal charge total number

total number 1 total number
on an atom in
a Lewis
structure
=
of valence
electrons in -
the free atom
of nonbonding
electrons
- 2 ( of bonding
electrons )
formal charge
on C
= 4 - 0 -½ x 8 = 0

formal charge
on O
= 6 - 4 -½ x 4 = 0

27
Example 9.6

Write formal charges for the carbonate ion.

Example 9.6
Strategy The Lewis structure for the carbonate ion was
developed in Example 9.5:

The formal charges on the atoms can be calculated using the

given procedure.

Solution We subtract the number of nonbonding electrons and

half of the bonding electrons from the valence electrons of each
atom.
Example 9.6
The C atom: The C atom has four valence electrons and there
are no nonbonding electrons on the atom in the
Lewis structure. The breaking of the double bond
and two single bonds results in the transfer of four
electrons to the C atom. Therefore, the formal
charge is 4 − 4 = 0.

The O atom in C=O: The O atom has six valence electrons and
there are four nonbonding electrons on
the atom. The breaking of the double
bond results in the transfer of two
electrons to the O atom. Here the formal
charge is 6 − 4 − 2 = 0.
Example 9.6
The O atom in C−O: This atom has six nonbonding electrons
and the breaking of the single bond
transfers another electron to it.
Therefore, the formal charge is
6 − 6 − 1 = −1.

Thus, the Lewis structure for with formal charges is

Check Note that the sum of the formal charges is −2, the same
as the charge on the carbonate ion.
 Formal Charge and Lewis Structures

1. For neutral molecules, a Lewis structure in which there

are no formal charges is preferable to one in which
formal charges are present.
2. Lewis structures with large formal charges are less
plausible than those with small formal charges.
3. Among Lewis structures having similar distributions of
formal charges, the most plausible structure is the one in
which negative formal charges are placed on the more
electronegative atoms.

32
Example 9.7
Formaldehyde (CH2O), a liquid with a disagreeable odor,
traditionally has been used to preserve laboratory specimens.
Draw the most likely Lewis structure for the compound.
Example 9.7
Strategy A plausible Lewis structure should satisfy the octet
rule for all the elements, except H, and have the formal charges
(if any) distributed according to electronegativity guidelines.

Solution The two possible skeletal structures are

Example 9.7
First we draw the Lewis structures for each of these possibilities

To show the formal charges, we follow the procedure given in

Example 9.6. In (a) the C atom has a total of five electrons
(one lone pair plus three electrons from the breaking of a single
and a double bond). Because C has four valence electrons, the
formal charge on the atom is 4 − 5 = −1. The O atom has a
total of five electrons (one lone pair and three electrons from
the breaking of a single and a double bond). Since O has six
valence electrons, the formal charge on the atom is 6 − 5 = +1.
Example 9.7
In (b) the C atom has a total of four electrons from the breaking
of two single bonds and a double bond, so its formal charge is
4 − 4 = 0. The O atom has a total of six electrons (two lone
pairs and two electrons from the breaking of the double bond).
Therefore, the formal charge on the atom is 6 − 6 = 0. Although
both structures satisfy the octet rule, (b) is the more likely
structure because it carries no formal charges.

Check In each case make sure that the total number of

valence electrons is 12. Can you suggest two other reasons
why (a) is less plausible?
A resonance structure is one of two or more Lewis structures
for a single molecule that cannot be represented accurately by
only one Lewis structure.

+ - - +
O O O O O O

37
Example 9.8

Draw three resonance structures for the molecule nitrous oxide,

N2O (the atomic arrangement is NNO).

Indicate formal charges.

Rank the structures in their relative importance to the overall

properties of the molecule.
Example 9.8
Strategy The skeletal structure for N2O is

We follow the procedure used for drawing Lewis structures and

calculating formal charges in Examples 9.5 and 9.6.

Solution The three resonance structures are

Example 9.8
We see that all three structures show formal charges.

Structure (b) is the most important one because the negative

charge is on the more electronegative oxygen atom.

Structure (c) is the least important one because it has a larger

separation of formal charges. Also, the positive charge is on
the more electronegative oxygen atom.

Check Make sure there is no change in the positions of the

atoms in the structures. Because N has five valence electrons
and O has six valence electrons, the total number of valence
electrons is 5 × 2 + 6 = 16. The sum of formal charges is zero
in each structure.
 Exceptions to the Octet Rule

The Incomplete Octet

Be – 2e-
BeH2 2H – 2x1e- H Be H
4e-

B – 3e- 3 single bonds (3x2) = 6

3F – 3x7e- F B F
BF3 9 lone pairs (9x2) = 18
24e- Total = 24
F

41
 Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Odd-Electron Molecules

N – 5e-
NO O – 6e- N O
11e-

The Expanded Octet (central atom with principal quantum number n > 2)

F
F F
S – 6e- 6 single bonds (6x2) = 12
SF6 6F – 42e- S 18 lone pairs (18x2) = 36
48e- Total = 48
F F
F
42
Example 9.9
Draw the Lewis structure for aluminum triiodide (AlI3).

AlI3 has a tendency to

dimerize, that is, form
two units as Al2I6.
Example 9.9
Strategy We follow the procedures used in Examples 9.5 and
9.6 to draw the Lewis structure and calculate formal charges.

Solution The outer-shell electron configurations of Al and I are

3s23p1 and 5s25p5, respectively. The total number of valence
electrons is 3 + 3 × 7 or 24. Because Al is less electronegative
than I, it occupies a central position and forms three bonds with
the I atoms:

Note that there are no formal charges on the Al and I atoms.

Example 9.9

Check Although the octet rule is satisfied for the I atoms, there
are only six valence electrons around the Al atom.

Thus, AlI3 is an example of the incomplete octet.

Example 9.10
Draw the Lewis structure for phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5), in
which all five F atoms are bonded to the central P atom.

PF5 is a reactive
gaseous compound.
Example 9.10
Strategy Note that P is a third-period element. We follow the
procedures given in Examples 9.5 and 9.6 to draw the Lewis
structure and calculate formal charges.

Solution The outer-shell electron configurations for P and F

are 3s23p3 and 2s22p5, respectively, and so the total number of
valence electrons is 5 + (5 × 7), or 40.

Phosphorus, like sulfur, is a third-period element, and therefore

it can have an expanded octet.
Example 9.10
The Lewis structure of PF5 is

Note that there are no formal charges on the P and F atoms.

Check Although the octet rule is satisfied for the F atoms,

there are 10 valence electrons around the P atom, giving it an
expanded octet.
Example 9.11
Draw a Lewis structure for the sulfate ion in which all
four O atoms are bonded to the central S atom.
Example 9.11
Strategy Note that S is a third-period element. We follow the
procedures given in Examples 9.5 and 9.6 to draw the Lewis
structure and calculate formal charges.

Solution The outer-shell electron configurations of S and O

are 3s23p4 and 2s22p4, respectively.

Step 1: The skeletal structure of is

Example 9.11
Step 2: Both O and S are Group 6A elements and so have
six valence electrons each. Including the two
negative charges, we must therefore account for a
total of 6 + (4 × 6) + 2, or 32, valence electrons in

Step 3: We draw a single covalent bond between all the

bonding atoms:
Example 9.11
Next we show formal charges on the S and O atoms:

Note that we can eliminate some of the formal charges for

by expanding the S atom’s octet as follows:
Example 9.11
The question of which of these two structures is more
important, that is, the one in which the S atom obeys the octet
rule but bears more formal charges or the one in which the S
atom expands its octet, has been the subject of some debate
among chemists. In many cases, only elaborate quantum
mechanical calculations can provide a clearer answer.

At this stage of learning, you should realize that both

representations are valid Lewis structures and you should be
able to draw both types of structures. One helpful rule is that in
trying to minimize formal charges by expanding the central
atom’s octet, only add enough double bonds to make the formal
charge on the central atom zero.
Example 9.11
Thus, the following structure would give formal charges on
S(−2) and O(0) that are inconsistent with the electronegativities
of these elements and should therefore not be included to
represent the ion.
Example 9.12
Draw a Lewis structure of the noble gas compound xenon
tetrafl uoride (XeF4) in which all F atoms are bonded to the
central Xe atom.
Example 9.12
Strategy Note that Xe is a fifth-period element. We follow the
procedures in Examples 9.5 and 9.6 for drawing the Lewis
structure and calculating formal charges.

Solution
Step 1: The skeletal structure of XeF4 is

Step 2: The outer-shell electron configurations of Xe and F

are 5s25p6 and 2s22p5, respectively, and so the total
number of valence electrons is 8 + (4 × 7) or 36.
Example 9.12
Step 3: We draw a single covalent bond between all the
bonding atoms. The octet rule is satisfied for the F
atoms, each of which has three lone pairs. The sum
of the lone pair electrons on the four F atoms (4 × 6)
and the four bonding pairs (4 × 2) is 32. Therefore,
the remaining four electrons are shown as two lone
pairs on the Xe atom:

We see that the Xe atom has an expanded octet.

There are no formal charges on the Xe and F atoms.