Lewis structure of hydrogen phosphate HO4P-2 – Simple Procedure for Dot structures

Lewis structures of hydrogen phosphate HO₄P^-2

A simple method for writing Lewis structures is 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).

Another example for writing Lewis structures following the above procedure is given in this post.

Let us consider the case of the Lewis electron dot structures of hydrogen phosphate HO₄P^-2.

Step 1: The central atom will be the P atom since it is the less electronegative. Connect the atoms with single bonds:

Step 2: Calculate the # of electrons in π bonds (multiple bonds) using formula (1) in the article entitled “Lewis Structures and the Octet Rule”.:

Where n in this case is 5, excluding the H atoms. Where V = (6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 5 + 1) – (-2) = 32 ,

V is the number of valence electrons of HO₄P^-2. Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 * 5 + 2 – 32 = 0

So, there is no multiple bond in the molecule.

Step 3 & 4: The resonance structures of HO₄P^-2 are as follows:

Please see the following video that shows step-by-step how to use this method to draw Lewis structures:

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Relevant Posts

Simple Method for writing Lewis Electron Dot Structures of the hydrogen phosphate ion (PO₃)^-1

Simple Method for writing Lewis Structures of the phosphate ion (PO₄)^-3

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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)
4. Steven S. Zumdahl, “Chemical Principles” 6th Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009

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Key Terms

Lewis structures of, simple method for writing Lewis electron dot structures, Lewis electron dot structures, electron dot structures

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