Aduchimo
Registered: 10/05/09
Posts: 2
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Reply with quote | #1 |
In problem 1F, what prevents both lone pairs on the nitrogen from becoming double bonds with the carbon atoms making each oxygen atom have three lone pairs? |
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Brittanymac
Registered: 09/27/09
Posts: 19
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Reply with quote | #2 |
In theory you could have this as a resonance structure. However, because by doing so you would give the Nitrogen a formal charge of 1+ and BOTH of the Oxygens a formal charge of 1-, there are formal charges that can be avoided. Overall the Molecule in 1F has a formal charge of 1- and so this arrangement would stay consistant with the molecule's overall formal charge. Yet other resonance structures are more preferred because of the formal charge rule.
On page 38:
Rule 3:
The most significant contributor has the least number of formal charges.
Hope this helps.
Brittany McManaman
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