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4 November, 17:48

How can you use formal charge to determine a) when an atom should be electron deficient or b) when an atom should have an expanded octet in a Lewis Structure.

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  1. 4 November, 20:14
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    Using the Formula Fc = (Valence Electrons) - (Unbound Electrons) - (N bonds in the atom)

    Explanation:

    Concept: Formal Charge

    Let's remember the concept of formal charge as the electric charge of an atom in a given molecule, it is calculated as it follows:

    Fc = (Valence Electrons) - (Unbound Electrons) - (N bonds in the atom)

    So to answer the question and by knowing the molecule, we can tell

    a) Fc + Unbound Electrons + N Bonds of the atom = Valence Electrons, if the valence electrons are fewer than the actual electrons of the atom, it means it is missing electrons.

    b) let' s remember the concept of expanded octet as an atom and the Lewis Structure having more than 8 electrons.

    So if you sum the Valence Electrons and the N bonds in the atom multiplied by two (There are two electrons in 1 bond) and this number is greater than 8, you could say it has an expanded octet
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