Question

identify the possible resonance structure(s) for n₂o. check all that apply.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall resonance rules

Resonance structures have the same connectivity of atoms but different arrangements of electrons. Also, the total number of valence - electrons remains the same in all resonance structures of a molecule. The sum of formal charges in a neutral molecule should be zero.

Step2: Calculate valence electrons of \(N_2O\)

N has 5 valence electrons and O has 6 valence electrons. So for \(N_2O\), the total number of valence electrons is \(2\times5 + 6=16\) valence electrons.

Step3: Analyze each structure

• For \(:\ddot{N}-O\equiv N:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), on O is \(6-(4 + 2)=0\), and on the right - hand N is \(5-(0+3)= + 2\), sum of formal charges \(=-2 + 0+2 = 0\).
• For \(\dot{N}=O=\dot{N}\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(5 + 0)=0\), on O is \(6-(4 + 2)=0\), and on the right - hand N is \(5-(5 + 0)=0\), sum of formal charges \(=0\).
• For \(:\ddot{N}-N-\ddot{O}:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), on the middle N is \(5-(4 + 1)=0\), and on O is \(6-(6 + 1)= - 1\), sum of formal charges \(=-2+0 - 1=-3\) (not valid for \(N_2O\)).
• For \(:\ddot{N}-N\equiv O:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), on the middle N is \(5-(3 + 2)=0\), and on O is \(6-(2 + 2)= + 2\), sum of formal charges \(=-2 + 0+2 = 0\).
• For \(:\ddot{N}-O-\ddot{N}:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), on O is \(6-(4 + 2)=0\), and on the right - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), sum of formal charges \(=-4\) (not valid for \(N_2O\)).
• For \(:N\equiv N-\ddot{O}:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(0 + 3)= + 2\), on the middle N is \(5-(3 + 2)=0\), and on O is \(6-(6 + 1)= - 1\), sum of formal charges \(=1\) (not valid for \(N_2O\)).
• For \(\dot{N}=N=\dot{O}\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(5 + 0)=0\), on the middle N is \(5-(4 + 1)=0\), and on O is \(6-(4 + 2)=0\), sum of formal charges \(=0\).
• For \(:N\equiv O-\ddot{N}:\), the formal - charge on the left - hand N is \(5-(0 + 3)= + 2\), on O is \(6-(2 + 2)= + 2\), and on the right - hand N is \(5-(6 + 1)= - 2\), sum of formal charges \(=2\) (not valid for \(N_2O\)).

The valid resonance structures of \(N_2O\) are \(:\ddot{N}-O\equiv N:\), \(\dot{N}=O=\dot{N}\), \(:\ddot{N}-N\equiv O:\), \(\dot{N}=N=\dot{O}\)

Answer:

\(:\ddot{N}-O\equiv N:\), \(\dot{N}=O=\dot{N}\), \(:\ddot{N}-N\equiv O:\), \(\dot{N}=N=\dot{O}\)