Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the carbonate ion, CO_3^{2-}?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Lewis Dot Structures: Ions
Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure for the SO_3^{2-} ion?
A
It has three resonance structures, each with one sulfur-oxygen double bond and two sulfur-oxygen single bonds, and all oxygen atoms carry a lone pair.
B
It has three single bonds between sulfur and oxygen, and the sulfur atom carries the negative charges.
C
It has a single structure with three sulfur-oxygen double bonds and no lone pairs on the oxygen atoms.
D
It has two resonance structures, each with two sulfur-oxygen double bonds and one sulfur-oxygen single bond.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the SO_3^{2-} ion. Sulfur (S) has 6 valence electrons, each oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons, and the 2- charge adds 2 extra electrons. Calculate the sum: \(6 + 3 \times 6 + 2\).
Step 2: Draw a skeletal structure with sulfur as the central atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. Connect sulfur to each oxygen with single bonds initially.
Step 3: Distribute the remaining valence electrons to complete the octets of the oxygen atoms first, placing lone pairs on oxygens as needed.
Step 4: Check the formal charges on each atom. To minimize formal charges, convert some sulfur-oxygen single bonds into double bonds, creating resonance structures where sulfur forms one double bond and two single bonds with oxygen atoms.
Step 5: Recognize that there are three resonance structures, each with one S=O double bond and two S–O single bonds, and that all oxygen atoms carry lone pairs to complete their octets.
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