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Lewis Electron Dot Structure of the Chromate Anion CrO4-2

Lewis Electron Dot Structure of chromate anion CrO<sub>4</sub><sup>-2</sup>

Lewis Electron Dot Structure of the Chromate Anion CrO4-2

A simple procedure for writing Lewis electron dot 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 below.

Let us consider the case of the Lewis electron dot structures of the chromate anion anion CrO4-2.

Let us consider the case of the chromate anion  CrO4-2. Chromates and dichromates are used in chrome plating to protect metals from corrosion and to improve paint adhesion. Chromate and dichromate salts of heavy metals and alkaline earth metals are only very slight soluble in water and are thus used as pigments. Chromates are also used as rust and corrosion inhibitors in diesel engines. Dichromate is converted to chromic sulfate for tanning leather. The reaction of chromium with collagen raises the hydrothermal stability of the leather and makes it resistant to bacterial attack. The reaction with collagen is also a useful reaction in photography as a sensitizer for gelatin coatings.

 

Step 1: Connect the atoms with single bonds.

 The CrO4-2 atoms connected 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 4. Where V = (6 + 6 + 6 + 6 +6) – (-2) = 32 , V is the number of valence electrons of the molecule. Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 * 5 + 2 – 32 = 0 Therefore, there are no multiple bonds in the molecule.  

So the structure of Step 1 is the Lewis structure.

Step 3 & 4: The Lewis resonance structures of chromate anion CrO4-2 are as follows:

Fig. 2: Lewis electron dot structures of the chromate anion CrO4-2

The Cr atom can accommodate more than 8 valence electrons - elements above row 2 of the periodic table can accommodate more than 8 electrons. Lewis structure #3 is the most stable structure due to less charge separation even though the octet rule is not obeyed by the Cr atom.  


 

Relevant Posts - Relevant Videos

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

Dot Structure of chromium trioxide CrO3

 


 

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

resonance structures of chromate anion cro4-2, Lewis electron structures of chromate anion , chemical formula of chromate anion cro4-2, simple procedure for drawing Lewis structures of chromate anion,

 

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