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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of neutral NOCl?
A
Nitrogen is bonded to oxygen by a double bond and to chlorine by a single bond, with one lone pair on nitrogen.
B
Nitrogen is bonded to both oxygen and chlorine by single bonds, with three lone pairs on nitrogen.
C
Nitrogen is bonded to oxygen by a triple bond and to chlorine by a single bond, with no lone pairs on nitrogen.
D
Nitrogen is bonded to oxygen by a single bond and to chlorine by a double bond, with two lone pairs on nitrogen.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for NOCl by adding the valence electrons of nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl). Nitrogen has 5, oxygen has 6, and chlorine has 7 valence electrons, so total valence electrons = 5 + 6 + 7.
Step 2: Arrange the atoms with nitrogen as the central atom because it is less electronegative than oxygen and chlorine. Connect nitrogen to oxygen and chlorine with single bonds initially.
Step 3: Distribute the remaining valence electrons to satisfy the octet rule for the outer atoms (oxygen and chlorine) first by adding lone pairs around them.
Step 4: Check the octet of the central nitrogen atom. If nitrogen does not have a complete octet, form double or triple bonds by converting lone pairs from oxygen or chlorine into bonding pairs with nitrogen.
Step 5: Confirm the final Lewis structure by ensuring all atoms have complete octets (except hydrogen if present), the total number of electrons matches the total valence electrons, and the formal charges are minimized, which will help identify the correct bonding pattern (double bond between N and O, single bond between N and Cl, and one lone pair on nitrogen).