CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Compound Structure and Properties · Compound Structure and Properties
Problem
Nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is an important intermediate in the industrial production of nitric acid.
Answer the following questions about the bonding in NO2.
(1) Part 1: (a) Calculate the total number of valence electrons in a molecule of NO2.
(2) Part 2: (b) Construct one valid Lewis diagram for NO2 that shows all lone pairs, bonding pairs, and the location of the unpaired electron.
(3) Part 3: (c) Draw every resonance form that differs only in the placement of the unpaired electron or single electron bonds, and assign all formal charges.
(4) Part 4: (d) Based on your resonance forms, predict the numerical value of the average N–O bond order in NO2 and justify your answer.