LEWIS STRUCTURES AND

MOLECULAR SHAPE
OBJECTIVES:
To draw Lewis dot structures and apply VSEPR theory to predict molecular shape and
properties; to determine formal charges of atoms in Lewis dot structures

MATERIALS:
Molecular model kits

SAFETY/WASTE:
None

INTRODUCTION .

Gilbert N. Lewis was one of the more prolific chemists of the twentieth century, with
contributions ranging from thermodynamics to acid-base theory. He is best known, at least
to chemistry students, for his work dealing with the electronic structure of molecules
including Lewis dot structures and the “rule of eight,” or octet rule. The Lewis structure is
elegant in its simplicity—it uses dots to represent valence electrons—but it provides us
with a model to predict the type of bonding present in molecules. Knowledge of the
bonding and shape of molecules is needed to explain the physical properties of molecules,
and how they react.

In this lab exercise you will draw Lewis structures of a wide variety of molecules and build
three dimensional molecular models to determine the shape of the molecules. You will
also examine how bonding and shape can explain whether a molecule is polar or non-
polar.

LEWIS STRUCTURES

A Lewis dot structure is a two-dimensional sketch of a molecule that uses dots to represent
valence electrons. The Lewis structure helps us identify the type of bonding that may be
present in a molecule based on the number of valence electrons available and the octet
rule. The octet rule states that atoms will gain, lose, or share electrons to attain a
completely filled valence shell electron configuration (i.e., eight electrons). In molecular
compounds, this is accomplished by sharing electrons to form covalent bonds.

Lewis structures for most molecules can be drawn by following a simple strategy:

1. Determine the total number of valence electrons in the molecule or polyatomic ion.
Simply add up the number of valence electrons for each atom in the molecular formula,
based on electronic configuration. For polyatomic ions, add an electron for each
negative charge and subtract one electron for each positive charge.
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

2. Draw a skeleton structure for the molecule. Connect the atoms using single lines to
represent covalent bond. Usually, the least electronegative element is the central
atom. Hydrogen is always on the outside, since it can only form one bond. Halogens
are often on the outside as well, but can be in the center if paired with a more
electronegative atom such as oxygen.

3. Calculate the number of remaining electrons. Subtract the number of electrons

involved in covalent bonding from the total valence electrons in the molecule.

4. Distribute the remaining electrons. Typically, these electrons are distributed around
the outside atoms until each atom has a complete octet, and then placing any
remaining electrons on the central atom(s).

5. If you run out of electrons before every atom has a complete octet, form multiple
bonds. Use pairs of non-bonding electrons from an outside atom to form double or
triple bonds until each atom has a complete octet.

There are many exceptions to the octet rule. Beryllium and boron, for example, only have
two and three valence electrons to share, respectively. As a result, these elements form
compounds in which the Be or B atom has less than eight valence electrons. Elements in
the third rows and higher (n ≥ 3) can often form compounds in which the central atom has
an expanded octet; because these elements have empty d-orbitals available, they can
accommodate more than eight electrons in their valence shell.

VALENCE SHELL ELECTRON PAIR REPULSION THEORY (VSEPR)

Many chemical and physical properties depend on molecular shape or geometry. The
Lewis structure can show us the basic structure in two dimensions but it cannot tell us the
shape of the molecule. The three-dimensional arrangement of bonding and non-bonding
electron pairs can be predicted using VSEPR theory. The basis for VSEPR theory is that
negatively charged electron clouds (i.e., bonding and non-bonding e- pairs) will arrange
themselves around the central atom in order to minimize repulsive energies. In VSEPR,
the electrons in a covalent bond count as one pair, regardless of whether it is a single,
double, or triple bond. This makes sense, given that all the electrons in these covalent
bonds are essentially oriented between the two atoms involved in the covalent bond. Non-
bonding e- pairs also count as an electron cloud.

The geometric orientation of electron clouds will depend on the number of electron clouds
around the central atom. Two electron clouds, for example, will arrange themselves on
opposite sides of the atom to form a linear geometry. Three electron clouds will form a
triangular or trigonal planar configuration. Four electron clouds will assume a tetrahedral
configuration. Molecular geometry, however, depends only on the arrangement of
bonding electron clouds and may be different from the electronic geometry. Molecular
geometries based on VSEPR theory are summarized in Table 1.
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

ELECTRONEGATIVITY: POLAR VS. NON-POLAR MOLECULES

Many physical properties depend on the strength of intermolecular forces, including vapor
pressure, boiling point, and solubility in a polar or non-polar solvent. These properties will
depend on whether the molecule as a whole has a permanent dipole, or a positive and
negative end. In general, there are two criteria for a molecule to be polar:

1. The molecule must contain polar bonds. A polar bond is formed between two atoms
having a significant difference in electronegativity. Remember the periodic trend for
electronegativity—it increases moving across a row and up a group. The most
electronegative elements (N, O, F, Cl) are found in the upper right corner of the
periodic table. While a covalent bond involves a sharing of electrons, they may not be
shared equally. The electrons in a C-O bond, for example, will be more closely
associated with the O atom because it is more electronegative. As a result, the carbon
end of the bond will be slightly more positive while the oxygen end of the bond will be
slightly more negative. We can represent the polarity of this bond by drawing an arrow
pointing toward the more negative atom, with a “+” at the more positive end, for
𝛿+ ↦ 𝛿 −
example
𝐶 − 𝑂

2. The polar bonds must be distributed asymmetrically. In other words, the separation of
charge associated with polar bonds must result in a permanent charge separation in
the molecule. If the charge vectors are distributed symmetrically they will cancel out.

These first three concepts are illustrated in Example 1.

Example 1. BH3 and NH3 both have the general formula AB3, yet they have very different
shapes and properties. Explain these facts by determining the molecular shapes

Solution: Details are provided in the table below.

Non – bonding Molecular

Total valence Bonding
Molecule e- pairs shape (from
electrons e- pairs
Table 1)
B =3
*BH3 3H = 3 3 0 Trigonal planar
total= 6
N =5
Trigonal
NH3 3H = 3 3 1
pyramid
total= 8
*Remember that boron compounds are often exceptions to the octet rule

Based on the information in the table, the two molecules have different geometries. The
BH3 is a trigonal planar molecule. The bonds are non-polar and are distributed
symmetrically around the central atom, so the molecule is non-polar. In NH3, the N atom
forms the apex of a trigonal pyramid and the H atoms form the triangular base. The N-H
bonds are polar, with the N end (represented by the A atom in Table 1) being more
negative. The molecular shape results in a molecule with a permanent dipole.
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

ISOMERS AND RESONANCE STRUCTURES

In many instances, more than one Lewis structure can be drawn for the same molecular
formula. In some cases, the different Lewis structures represent different molecules with
different properties. Molecules having the same formula but different structures are called
isomers, and are important in many areas of chemistry, especially organic and
biochemistry. Consider, for example, the two molecules below having the molecular
formula C2H4O.

Clearly, these are two completely different molecules, and we would expect them to have
different physical and chemical properties.

In other cases, the different Lewis structures represent different ways of distributing the
valence electrons, but the basic molecular skeleton is the same. Such structures are called
resonance structures. Sometimes the real structure is an average of different resonance
structures, but sometimes only one of the possible resonance structures makes sense
chemically. In order to determine which resonance structure is most likely, it is helpful to
calculate the formal charge associated with each atom in the Lewis structure.

FORMAL CHARGE

The concept of formal charge allows us to assign a nominal charge to each atom in a
Lewis structure using Equation (1).

Formal charge = (# of valence e-)-1/2(# bonding e-)-(non-bonding lone pair e

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = (# 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑒 − ) − 1/2(#𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒 − ) − (𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑒 − ) (1)

Since electrons in covalent bonds are shared, they are divided equally between the atoms
in that bond, while lone pairs are assigned to the atom on which they are located. The sum
of the formal charges for individual atoms must add up to zero for a neutral molecule, and
must equal the ionic charge for a polyatomic ion. In many instances, two different
resonance structures will result in different formal charges on the atoms. In such cases,
the formal charges may help us decide which resonance structure makes more sense. In
general, resonance structures that do not produce large differences in formal charge or
put positive charges on electronegative atoms (such as O, N, F) are more reasonable.
Such a case is illustrated in Example 2.
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

Example 2. Consider the two possible resonance structures for CO2 provided below.
Calculate the formal charge for each atom in the two structures. Which resonance
structure is the more reasonable one? Explain.

Solution.
Structure 1:

𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = (# 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑒 − ) − 1/2(#𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒 − ) − (𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑒 − )

Oxygen #1 (left) = 6 – ½(6) – 2 =+1

Carbon = 4 – ½(8) – 0 = 0
Oxygen #2 (right) = 6 – ½(2) – 6 =-1

Structure 2:

Oxygen (both the same) = 6 – ½(4) – 4 = 0

Carbon = 4 – ½(8) – 0 = 0

Structure # 2 is more reasonable because it does not result in a large difference in

charges, or a positive charge on a very electronegative element (oxygen).
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

Table 1 Molecular shapes using Valence Shell Electron Pair (VSEPR) Theory
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

NAME:____________________________ SECTION:___________ DATE:__________

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Using the strategy outlined in the Introduction, draw Lewis dot structures for the molecules
in the Table.

Bonding e- Non – bonding

Total valence
Molecule clouds on central e- clouds on Lewis dot structure
electrons
atom central atom

CS2

NO3-

CH3NH2(C-N bond)

SF4*

*Elements in the third row and higher can form compounds with “expanded octets” they can use empty d orbitals to
accommodate more than 8 electrons in their valence shell.

2. Based on the Lewis structure and the number of electron clouds, identify the molecular
geometry for each of the Lewis structures you derived in Question 1.

CH3NH2
Molecule CS2 NO3- SF4
(C-N bond)
Molecular
Geometry

3. Draw the Lewis dot structure and calculate the formal charges for each atom in the cyanate
ion, OCN- (triple bond between C and N; single bond between O and C).
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

PREPARATION AND PROCEDURE

Review the rules for drawing Lewis dot structures and VSEPR theory and complete the pre-lab
exercises before coming to lab!

The model kits use color-coded atom centers with pegs to represent electron pairs arranged in
the more common geometries. The specific contents of your model kit may vary, but a typical kit
composition is listed below, including color-codes for specific atoms and the types of connectors
used to represent bonds.

Black = Carbon (3-bond and 4-bond centers) White = Hydrogen (1-bond)

Red = Oxygen (2-bond and 4-bond centers) Blue = Nitrogen (4-bond centers)
Green = Halogens (1-bond and 4-bond centers) Yellow = Sulfur (4-bond centers)
Purple = Variable (5-bond centers) Grey = Variable (6-bond centers)
Clear plastic tubes = single bonds
White flexible tubes = multiple bonds

In this lab you will draw Lewis dot structures of many common substances, and use these
structures and VSEPR theory to build molecular models. From the models you can identify the
molecular geometry or shape of the molecules. You will also calculate formal charges of atoms in
the structures, and predict whether or not the molecule is polar or non-polar. Finally, you will
investigate compounds that can have more than one molecular structure (isomers) or the same
molecular structure but different Lewis dot structures (resonance structures).

While you may not have discussed these subjects in your lecture class, there is adequate
information provided in the Introduction section to successfully complete the lab exercise. Working
with a partner, complete one section at a time. Have your TA check your work before moving on
to the next section.

1. Draw the Lewis dot structures for the compounds having four electron clouds in Table 2, and
complete the table.

2. Draw the Lewis dot structures for compounds having multiple bonds in Table 3, and complete
the table.

3. Draw the Lewis dot structures for compounds that do not follow the octet rule in Table 4, and
complete the table.

4. Draw Lewis dot structures for the compounds in Table 5 (isomers and resonance structures),
and complete the table.
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

NAME:____________________________ SECTION:___________ DATE:__________

LEWIS STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR SHAPE

DATA SHEET

A. Compounds with four electron clouds

1. Following the rules for drawing Lewis Dot Structures, draw structures for the
compounds in Table 1.

2. Based on the Lewis dot structures, build molecular models for these molecules. Have
your instructor check your models.

3. Based on your models, identify the molecular geometry for each compound.

4. Based on the geometry, identify the molecule as polar or non-polar.

Table 1 Lewis Dot Structures and Geometries of Molecules with Four Electron Clouds – Complete the table

Bonding e- Non – bonding Polar/Non-

Molecule Lewis structure clouds on e- clouds on Shape/Geometry polar?
central atom central atom

CH4

NH3

H2S

(on bromine)
HBr
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

B. Compounds having multiple bonds

Complete the table below:

Table 2 Compounds having multiple bonds

Bonding e- Non – bonding Polar/Non-
Lewis
Molecule clouds on e- clouds on Shape/Geometry polar?
structure
central atom central atom

CO2
(2 double bonds)

Cl2CO
(1 double bond)

HCN
(1 triple bond)

SO3
(1 double bond)

C. Exceptions to the octet rule

Complete the table below:

Table 3 Exceptions to the Octet rule

Bonding e- Non – bonding
Lewis
Molecule clouds on e- clouds on Shape/Geometry
structure
central atom central atom

BF3
(3 e- pairs)

PCl5
(5 e- pairs)

SF6
(6 e- pairs)

IF3
(5 e- pairs)

XeF4
(6 e- pairs)
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

D. Isomers and resonance structures

Complete the Table below, providing the suggested number of structures for each
molecule.

Table 4 Isomers and resonance structures

Molecule Lewis structure

1.

C2H6O
(2 isomers) 2.

1. Formal Charges:
S=
C=
N=
SCN-
(2 resonance structures))
2. Formal Charges:
S=
C=
N=

1. Formal Charges:
S=
C=
O=
COS
(2 resonance structures; C in center))
2.
Formal Charges:
S=
C=
O =
Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes
 Lewis Structure and Molecular Shapes

NAME:____________________________ SECTION:___________ DATE:__________

POST-LAB QUESTIONS

1. The compounds in Table 1 all have four electron clouds (i.e., same electron cloud
geometry), but different molecular geometries. Explain.

2. The molecules CO2 and SCl2 are both of the general molecular type AB2, but one is polar
and one is not. Which molecule is polar? Draw the Lewis structures for these molecules
to illustrate your reasoning.

3. Based on the formal charges you calculated in Table 5, which resonance structures for
the SCN ion and the COS molecule would you expect to be more stable? Explain.

4. Explain the difference between isomers and resonance structures.

5. Why is it difficult to construct a Lewis Dot structure for the molecule NO?