Method for Lewis dot structures: The nitrate ion lewis structures

 

Method for Lewis dot structures: The nitrate ion NO₃^-

 

A simple procedure for writing Lewis Dot 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 the nitrate ion NO₃^-. What are the Lewis electron dot structures of NO₃^-?

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 4. Where V = (5 +6*3) – (-1) = 24 , V is the number of valence electrons of the ion. Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 * 4 + 2 – 24  = 2     So, there is 1 double bond.

 

Step 3 & 4: The Lewis dot resonance structures of the nitrate ion NO₃^- (NO₃^- Lewis structures) are as follows:

 

 

Therefore, there are 3 possible Lewis resonance structures for NO₃^- (NO₃^- Lewis structures).

The above simple four-step method for drawing Lewis structures is presented in the following video:

 

 

---

RELEVANT POSTS

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

Simple Procedure for writing Lewis Structures – Lewis Structures for nitric acid (HNO3)

Simple Procedure for writing Lewis Structures – Lewis Structures for Nitrogen Oxychloride NOCl

 

---

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 dot structures| NO3- ion | nitrate ion | method to draw dot structure| on line textbook, Lewis structure of no3- with formal charges, lewis structure of no3- molecule, resonance structures of no3-, resonance structures of no3-1, resonance lewis structure of no3-, lewis dot structures of no3-

---