CHEM261 Lecture Notes - Formal Charge, A Reminder, C More Entertainment

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHEM261

Document Summary

All purple atoms are in the same plane. (sum of) of formal charges on all atoms in a molecule = overall charge on molecule. Subtract of the number of shared outer shell electrons. Overall charge on the nitrite anion is = -1: methyl anion. Overall charge on the methyl anion is = -1: methyl radical. Overall charge on the methyl anion is = 0. Very unstable since it doesn"t have an inert gas configuration: methyl cation (sp2 hybridized carbon, planer shape) can be reactive intermediate in principle. Overall charge on the methyl anion is = +1. X 2 = -1 (1/2 of shared electrons) X 6 = -3 (1/2 of shared electrons) Nb:the above compound can also be represented in the following forms, resulting from the free rotation of single bonds (sigma). Note: single bonds, in general, have free rotation. Resonance structures: different drawings (or pictures) of the same molecule made by moving electrons but not atoms.