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Dot Structure|How do I draw a Lewis Structure for a molecule– Lewis Dot Structure of Cyanamide

Lewis Structure of Cyanamide CN2H2

Lewis Structure of Cyanamide CN2H2

How do I draw the Lewis electron dot structure of cyanamide  CN2H2?  A simple and general procedure for writing Lewis structures is given in a previous post 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  cyanamide  CN2H2. What is the Lewis structure of CN2H2?

Cyanamide is used for the synthesis of pharmaceutical and agrochemical actives, biocides, dyestuffs and fine chemicals. As calcium cyanamide is used as a fertilizer providing plants with nitrogen in an ideal way, as well as supplying the soil with valuable lime.                         

 

Step 1: Connect the atoms with single bonds.

 

Fig. I.1: Connect the atoms of the CN2H2 molecule with single bonds.

 

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

Where n in this case is 3 since CN2H2 has 3 non-hydrogen atoms.

Where V = 5*2 + 4 + 1*2 = 16

Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 *3 + 2 – 16 = 4   Therefore, there are either 2 double bonds or 1 triple  bond.

Step 3 & 4: The Lewis dot structures of CN2H2  are as follows:

Fig. I.2: Lewis electron dot structures of the cyanamide ion. Structure #1 is the major contributor to the hybrid because it is more stable than #2 ( structure #1 has an octet of electrons around each atom and no charge separation).

Lewis electron dot Structure #1 is the major contributor to the hybrid because it is more stable than Structure #2 (Structure #1 obeys the Octet Rule - octet of electrons around each atom - and has no charge separation)


Relevant Posts - Relevant Videos

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

Lewis Dot Structure of the sulfite ion SO3-2


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)

Key Terms

Lewis structures, electron dot structures, Lewis structures of the cyanamide CN2H2, electron dot structures of the cyanamide CN2H2,, method for drawing Lewis structures,, chemistry, Chemistry Net

 

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