Lewis Structures

Lewis Structures are critical to describe the structures of molecules (especially the shape
of molecules). The following describes how one draws these structures.
1. Select the central atom for a structure based on the following guidelines:
a. Hydrogen cannot be a central atom as it cannot have more than one pair of
electrons.
b. The central atom will almost always be the atom in the molecule that will be
the individual atom, e.g. in NO2, N is central.
c. If there are 2 possible central atoms, e. g. in CoBr2, select the atom with the
most potential bonds to make an octet. A Group IV atom carbon has 4 bonds,
rather than a Group VI atom like O which has 2 potential bonds.
d. If a compound has two identical cental atoms, e.g. C2H4, then the initial
structure will be:
H C C H
H H
e. Structures like acids, H2SO4, will have the H atom attached to the O atom.
Create a structure:
a.
O
O
S

b.
O

F
I

F
2.

Count all the valence electrons. Add or remove electrons () to account for
charges on ions. Use the periodic chart for determining number of valence
electrons.
a.

Count as follows:

[3 O = 18, 1 S = 6] Total = 24e

b.

Count as follows:

[4 7 + 1 7 + le] = 36e

Numbers should always add up to an even number of electrons.

3.

Connect all the bonds (2 electrons per bond) in the skeleton structure. Then
complete the octets of the atoms attached to the central atom by adding electrons
in pairs. Then add up all the electrons to see how many electrons are available in
the central atom.

9/09 disk 50-XX, rev. 11/8/12,6/11/13,9/12/13

Indian River State College, ASC

A.
. . .
. O
. .

. . . .
. O .

. .

. .

B.
.
.

O
. . .

Total = 26

. . .
. O
. .

. .

. .

.
.

F
. .

. .
.
.

. .

.
.

. .

These are called resonance structures, as the

structure has 3 possible configurations.

F:

. .

.
.

.
.

. .
.
F
. . .

. . .

.. ..

. .

.
.

F
. .

. .

There are 4 electrons left and they are now

placed on the central atom as pairs of electrons.
This gives us:

.
.

. .

.
. O

. .

. .

Total = 32

Add up the number of valence electrons in this

proposed structure, there are 24. This is a
possible structure that is acceptable. Another
equivalent structure is shown below.

.
.

I
.
.

.
.

. .
.
F
. . .

There are 2 more electrons required for this

structure than exist. Therefore, this structure
must be modified by creating potential double
bonds around the central atom.
.
.

. .

.
.

The last step is to add brackets around the

formula and write charge outside as a
superscript.

.
.

. .

.
.

. .
. . .

. F . .I
. .

.
.

F
. .

. ..

. .

.
.

Now total electrons = 36 inside, but with the

outside we net the same number of electrons
(35) listed originally.
9/09 disk 50-XX, rev. 11/8/12,6/11/13,9/12/13
Indian River State College, ASC

C. A More complex structure to investigate involves an acid, such as H2SO4. By following the rules, note
that 2 possible structures exist that satisfy the Lewis structure.

I.

.
.

. .

H O

. .

.
.

. .

. .

. .

.
.

II.

.
.

O
. .

.
.

. .

O
. .

H O

. .

. .

. .

.
.

O
. .

Only one of these is correct. Selection of the structure is determined by calculating formal charges on all
the atoms within the structure. Based on formal charge calculation, structure II is the preferred
structure. (See Formal Charge Handout)

Formal Charge Calculation

Formal Charge = [# electrons in valence shell of atom] [# bonds + # of unpaired electrons]
1. Calculate the formal charges for these structures.
Problem 1
..
: 2:
..
|
..
H - 1 - S - 3 - H
..
|
..
: 4 :
..

9/09 disk 50-XX, rev. 11/8/12,6/11/13,9/12/13

Indian River State College, ASC

Formal charge calculation:

1
2
3
4
5

=
=
=
=
=

6 [2+4]
6 [1+6]
6 [3 + 4]
6 [1 + 6]
6 [5]

=0
= -1
= -1
= -1
= +1

This structure is very unstable as it has many negative numbers internally. They do not balance
out.
Problem 2
..

: 2
..
..
|
..
- 1 - S - 3 - H
..
|
..
: 4
..

Formal charge calculation:

1
2
3
4
5

=
=
=
=
=

6 [2+4]
6 [2+4]
6 [2 + 4]
6 [2 + 4]
6 [6 + 0]

=0
=0
=0
=0
=0

This structure is much more stable as the formal charges throughout the molecule = 0. Therefore,
this is the preferred structure.

9/09 disk 50-XX, rev. 11/8/12,6/11/13,9/12/13

Indian River State College, ASC