Covalent| Lewis structure| SO2 – Simple Procedure for Dot structures - #53

Lewis structure of SO₂ – Simple Procedure for drawing Dot structures

A simple method for writing Lewis Structures was given in a previous article entitled “Lewis Structures and the Octet Rule”. Several worked examples relevant to this procedure were given in previous posts please see the Sitemap - Table of Contents (Lewis Electron Dot Structures).

Let us consider the case of SO₂. What is the Lewis structure of SO₂?

Step 1: Connect the atoms with single bonds.

 

Step 2: Calculate the # of electrons in π bonds (multiple bonds) using formula (1)  :

Where n in this case is 3. Where V = 6 + 6 + 6 = 18, V is the number of valence electrons of the molecule.

Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 * 3 + 2 – 18  = 2   Therefore, there is one double bond in the molecule.

 

Step 3 & 4: The resonance structures of SO₂ (SO₂ Lewis structures) are as follows

 

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Relevant Posts - Relevant Videos

Lewis Structures|Octet Rule: A Simple Method to write Lewis Structures

Lewis structure of SO3 – Simple Procedure for Dot structures

Lewis Dot Structure of the sulfite ion SO3-2

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References

1. G.N. Lewis, J.A.C.S, 38, 762-785, (1916)
2.  E. C. McGoran, J. Chem. Educ., 68, 19-23 (1991)
3. A.B.P. Lever, J. Chem. Educ., 49, 819-821, (1972)

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Key Terms

resonance structures of sulfur dioxide SO2, Lewis electron structures of SO2, chemical formula of SO2, simple method for drawing Lewis structures of SO2, Lewis structure of sulfur dioxide SO2,

 

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