Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

General Chemistry

11. Bonding & Molecular Structure

Lewis Dot Structures: Neutral Compounds

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of neutral butyric acid (C4H8O2)?

It contains a carboxyl group (COOH) with both oxygens double-bonded to the same carbon atom.

It contains a carboxyl group (COOH) with both oxygens single-bonded to the same carbon atom, and no hydrogen attached to the oxygens.

It contains a carboxyl group (COOH) with a double bond between carbon and one oxygen, and a single bond between carbon and the other oxygen, which is also bonded to a hydrogen atom.

It contains a carboxyl group (COOH) with a triple bond between carbon and one oxygen.

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Verified step by step guidance

Recall the general structure of a carboxyl group (COOH) found in carboxylic acids like butyric acid. The carboxyl group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to one oxygen atom and single-bonded to another oxygen atom, which is also bonded to a hydrogen atom.

Understand that in the Lewis dot structure, the carbon in the carboxyl group forms a double bond with one oxygen to satisfy the octet rule and a single bond with the other oxygen, which carries a hydrogen atom, making it a hydroxyl group (-OH).

Recognize that both oxygens cannot be double-bonded to the same carbon atom because that would violate typical bonding patterns and the octet rule for oxygen atoms in carboxylic acids.

Note that a triple bond between carbon and oxygen in a carboxyl group is not chemically correct for carboxylic acids, as it would not allow the formation of the hydroxyl group necessary for the acidic properties.

Conclude that the correct Lewis structure for the carboxyl group in butyric acid has one carbon-oxygen double bond and one carbon-oxygen single bond with the oxygen in the single bond also bonded to a hydrogen atom.