Questions: Answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the nitrosyl choride (NOCl) molecule. How many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom? Note: one "electron group" means one lone pair, one single bond, one double bond, or one triple bond.

Answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the nitrosyl choride (NOCl) molecule.
How many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom?
Note: one "electron group" means one lone pair, one single bond, one double bond, or one triple bond.
Transcript text: Answer the questions in the table below about the shape of the nitrosyl choride $(\mathrm{NOCl})$ molecule. \begin{tabular}{|l|l|} \hline How many electron groups are around the central nitrogen atom? \\ Note: one "electron group" means one lone pair, one single bond, \\ one double bond, or one triple bond. \\ \hline \end{tabular}
failed

Solution

failed
failed

Solution Steps

Step 1: Determine the Lewis Structure of NOCl

To determine the number of electron groups around the central nitrogen atom in nitrosyl chloride (NOCl), we first need to draw its Lewis structure. Nitrogen (N) is the central atom, bonded to oxygen (O) and chlorine (Cl). Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, oxygen has 6, and chlorine has 7, giving a total of 18 valence electrons to distribute.

Step 2: Assign Electron Groups

In the Lewis structure of NOCl, nitrogen forms a double bond with oxygen and a single bond with chlorine. There are no lone pairs on the nitrogen atom. Therefore, the electron groups around the nitrogen atom are:

  • One double bond with oxygen
  • One single bond with chlorine
Step 3: Count the Electron Groups

Each bond (single or double) is considered one electron group. Thus, the nitrogen atom has:

  • 1 electron group from the double bond with oxygen
  • 1 electron group from the single bond with chlorine

Final Answer

The number of electron groups around the central nitrogen atom in NOCl is \(\boxed{2}\).

Was this solution helpful?
failed
Unhelpful
failed
Helpful