Formal Charge When more than one resonance structure is possible, the determination of the best structure can made based on the formal charges in the structure. The calculation of the formal charge is given by: Formal Charge = # valence electrons - % bonding electrons - lone pair electrons We determined that the structure of BFs is an exception to the octet rule (see above). 4. a) Determine the formal charge on B and F in this structure. Valence e on B Valence e on F -½ bonding e- lone pair e= bonding e- lone pair e= We could draw a different resonance structure by moving a lone pair of electrons off one of the F atoms and make a second bond to the B atom (see figure on next page): Student Name: Date b) The octet rule is obeyed, but this is not the structure of BF3. To see why it is not, determine the formal charges of B and F in this second structure. Valence e on B 3-% 8 bonding e- 0 lone pair e= Valence e on F-% 1 bonding e- 2 lone pair e= The formal charges are non-zero and there is a positive charge on the most electronegative element, F. The best resonance structures have the smallest possible formal charges, and negative charges on electronegative elements.

Principles of Modern Chemistry
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305079113
Author:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Publisher:David W. Oxtoby, H. Pat Gillis, Laurie J. Butler
Chapter3: Atomic Shells And Classical Models Of Chemical Bonding
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 94AP: The molecular ion S3N3 has the cyclic structure All SN bonds are equivalent. (a) Give six...
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Formal Charge
When more than one resonance structure is possible, the determination of the best
structure can made based on the formal charges in the structure. The calculation of
the formal charge is given by:
Formal Charge = # valence electrons - % bonding electrons - lone pair electrons
We determined that the structure of BFs is an exception to the octet rule (see above).
4. a) Determine the formal charge on B and F in this structure.
Valence e on B
Valence e on F
-½
bonding e-
lone pair e=
-½
bonding e-
lone pair e=
We could draw a different resonance structure by moving a lone pair of electrons off
one of the F atoms and make a second bond to the B atom (see figure on next page):
Student Name:
Date:
b) The octet rule is obeyed, but this is not the structure of BF3. To see why it is not,
determine the formal charges of B and F in this second structure.
Valence e on B 3-% 8
bonding e-
0
lone pair e=
Valence e on F1-% 1
bonding e-
2
lone pair e = +1
The formal charges are non-zero and there is a positive charge on the most
electronegative element, F. The best resonance structures have the smallest possible
formal charges, and negative charges on electronegative elements.
Transcribed Image Text:Formal Charge When more than one resonance structure is possible, the determination of the best structure can made based on the formal charges in the structure. The calculation of the formal charge is given by: Formal Charge = # valence electrons - % bonding electrons - lone pair electrons We determined that the structure of BFs is an exception to the octet rule (see above). 4. a) Determine the formal charge on B and F in this structure. Valence e on B Valence e on F -½ bonding e- lone pair e= -½ bonding e- lone pair e= We could draw a different resonance structure by moving a lone pair of electrons off one of the F atoms and make a second bond to the B atom (see figure on next page): Student Name: Date: b) The octet rule is obeyed, but this is not the structure of BF3. To see why it is not, determine the formal charges of B and F in this second structure. Valence e on B 3-% 8 bonding e- 0 lone pair e= Valence e on F1-% 1 bonding e- 2 lone pair e = +1 The formal charges are non-zero and there is a positive charge on the most electronegative element, F. The best resonance structures have the smallest possible formal charges, and negative charges on electronegative elements.
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