Another Procedure for Writing Lewis Structures
T h o m a s J. Clark
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA 95521
Many students have difficulty in learning to write Lewis
structures for molecules and polyatomic ions. Several proce-
dures for writing them are presented in general chemistry
texts. I recently devised a scheme which has two uncommon
features: (1) whether multiple bond& or expanded valence
shells are present is first determined using the method de-
scribed by Lever'; (2) the dots representing electrons are en-
tered before any hydrogen atoms are placed on the structure.
. . . -
T h e verv simnle orocedure for writine a correct. or a t least
reasonable, Lewis structure for a molecule or ion containing
onlv s-block and D-block elements can be summarized in a
series of steps.
1) Identifv anv monatomic cations. The rules far writine Lewis
qtmrttrka
.~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~
. . . to
which follow are not needed for and do nat&lv
rnonarmnlc cxiun*. Croup I and Gnmp I1 elrrnrntsarr almoqf
nlusy~present ascations. Exceptions arc He in moct nmp,unds
and the other elements of these two groups in organometallic
compounds.
2) Determine the number of dots to be shown in the structure of
a molecule or polyatomic ion. There is one for each s and p
electron in the valence shell of each constituent atom; there is
one more for each neeative charee on an anion and one less for
"
each positive charge on a cation.
3) Evaluate 6y + 2 where y is the number of atoms other than
hydrogen in the molecule or ion.
4) Compare the number of dots to be shown with 6y + 2.
a) If the two are equal, all atoms in the aggregate obey the octet
rule, and there are no multiple bonds.
Examnles: P O P . CIHR.CCla. Br?. NHnC. C10s-
b) If the number of d o c tobe shiwnk lessthan 6; + 2, either
of the following holds.
i) There are multiple hands in the structure, a deficiency
Of two indicating a bond and a four
indicating either a triple bond or two double bonds.
ii) An atom a Group I, 11, or 111element has less than an
octet of electrons.
Examnles: CHIO. GHa, NI, COz, CO, BeH2, LiCHz
C) If the number of dog to be shown is greater than 6y + 2, the
central atom has an exoanded valence shell. Examoles: SF&.
SeC4, XeFz, SbFs-
5) Arrange the non-hydrogens in a likely fashion using the fol-
lowing principles asguides. Atoms of elements in GroupsK 111,
IV, and likelyto be central atoms. If just One atom of some
element and several atoms of some other element are present,
the unique atom is likely to he central.
6) Enter the dots making use of the decision made in step (4). Start
with the dots far any multiple bond, placing them between the
central atom and one of its neighboring atoms. Then complete
the octets for the atoms attached to the central atom. Finally
enter dots for any pairs on the central atom.
100 Journal of Chemical Education
I ) Place the hydrogen atomson the formula in a way whichmini-
mizes the number of atoms carrying formal charge and mini-
mizes the magnitude of formal charges. Characteristics of atoms
having zero formal charge when the octet rule is obeyed are given
in the table.
Group IV V VI VII
Number of Shared Pairs 4 3 2 1
Number of Unshared Pairs 0 1 2 3
The formal charge is mare positive by one for each additional
shared pair and more negative by one for each additional un-
shared paw.
Development of the Lewis structure of formic acid illus-
trates the procedure. Using step (2) one finds that the formula
CHzOz requires 18 dots to be shown. Steps (3) and (4) lead to
the conclusion t h a t one double bond is present. Carbon, a
Group IV element, is central, and placing the dots on the
formula as directed in step ( 6 ) gives the partial structbre
shown on the left below. A glance shows that the 0 on the right
having twoshared and twiunshared pairsalready has formal
charee of zero. T h e other 0 and the C can have formal charce
of zero if each shares a pair with H, and entering the H S
completes the structure.
T h e procedure is not flawless, of course. T h e simple rules
would have t o be modified to account for n i c k structures, to
allow correct placement of the single H of formate ion, and to
deal with odd-electron structures. T h e rules do not lead t o a
decision atomis central in thiosulfate ion, and
they do lead to a n incorrect structure for phosphorous acid.
T h e most serious flaw is t h a t a n incorrect choice of central
atom (e.g., 0 in CzH40)can occasionally cause the student to
spend time developing a structure which cannot be properly
completed.
These defects do not seriouslv imoair the usefulness of this
procedure. One should make s i r e i h a t a t the start students
encounter only examples which are dealt with correctly by the
simple rules. Students quickly become aware of the features
possessed by correct Lewis structures, and one can then make
modifications of the rules t o extend the range of applicability
the procedure.
Lever, A.B.P., J. CHEM.EDUC.,49,819 (1972).