Question

decide whether these proposed lewis structures are reasonable.
proposed lewis structure
is the proposed lewis structure reasonable?
yes.
no, it has the wrong number of valence electrons.
the correct number is:
no, it has the right number of valence electrons but doesnt satisfy the octet rule.
the symbols of the problem atoms are:*
yes.
no, it has the wrong number of valence electrons.
the correct number is:
no, it has the right number of valence electrons but doesnt satisfy the octet rule.
the symbols of the problem atoms are:*
yes.
no, it has the wrong number of valence electrons.
the correct number is:
no, it has the right number of valence electrons but doesnt satisfy the octet rule.
the symbols of the problem atoms are:*

• if two or more atoms of the same element dont satisfy the octet rule, just enter the chemical symbol as many times as necessary. for example, if two oxygen atoms dont satisfy the octet rule, enter \o,o\.

Explanation:

• First structure:
• Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons. There are 3 nitrogen atoms and 1 negative charge (1 extra electron). The total valence electrons should be \(3\times5 + 1=16\). In the given structure, we can count the valence electrons (each single - bond is 2 electrons, double - bond is 4 electrons, and lone pairs are 2 electrons per pair). The structure has the correct number of valence electrons. Now check the octet rule. Each nitrogen atom has 8 electrons around it (either in bonds or as lone pairs), so it satisfies the octet rule.
• Second structure:
• Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, oxygen has 6, and chlorine has 7. The total valence electrons should be \(5 + 6+7 = 18\). In the given structure, we count the valence electrons (single - bonds are 2 electrons each and lone pairs are 2 electrons per pair). The structure has the correct number of valence electrons. Now check the octet rule. Nitrogen has 8 electrons (3 lone pairs and 1 single - bond), oxygen has 8 electrons (2 lone pairs and 2 single - bonds), and chlorine has 8 electrons (3 lone pairs and 1 single - bond). So it satisfies the octet rule.
• Third structure:
• Carbon has 4 valence electrons, oxygen has 6. There are 2 oxygen atoms. The total valence electrons should be \(4+2\times6=16\). In the given structure, we count the valence electrons (single - bonds are 2 electrons each and lone pairs are 2 electrons per pair). The structure has the correct number of valence electrons. But carbon has only 4 electrons (2 single - bonds) around it, which does not satisfy the octet rule.

Answer:

• For the first structure: Yes.
• For the second structure: Yes.
• For the third structure: No, it has the right number of valence electrons but doesn't satisfy the octet rule. The symbols of the problem atoms are: C.