Lewis Dot Structure of NO2-

The Lewis dot structure for NO2- (nitrite ion) can be determined by following a set of rules. The Lewis dot structure is a visual representation of the valence electrons in a molecule, showing the bonding and non-bonding electrons.

Rules for drawing Lewis dot structures:

1. Count the total number of valence electrons:
- Nitrogen (N) has 5 valence electrons.
- Oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons.
- Since there are two oxygen atoms in NO2-, the total number of valence electrons will be 5 + (2 * 6) + 1 (negative charge on the ion) = 18.

2. Determine the central atom:
- In NO2-, nitrogen (N) is the central atom since it is less electronegative than oxygen (O).

3. Connect the atoms with single bonds:
- Place the nitrogen atom in the center and connect it to the two oxygen atoms with single bonds. Each bond consists of a pair of electrons.

4. Distribute the remaining electrons:
- Place the remaining 14 electrons around the oxygen atoms, giving each oxygen atom a lone pair of electrons (two dots) and a single bond with nitrogen.

5. Check the octet rule for each atom:
- The octet rule states that each atom (except hydrogen) should have 8 valence electrons around it. In some cases, elements can have expanded octets, allowing more than 8 electrons.
- In NO2-, nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and is surrounded by 5 more electrons (2 from each oxygen atom and 1 from the negative charge) fulfilling the octet rule.
- Each oxygen atom has 6 valence electrons and is surrounded by 6 more electrons (2 from the nitrogen atom and 4 in the form of lone pairs) fulfilling the octet rule.

Lewis dot structure of NO2-:

N:O:O- (The colon represents a single bond, and the dash represents a lone pair)

.
. .
:
N
. .
:
O-

In the Lewis dot structure of NO2-, the nitrogen atom is in the center, bonded to two oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons. The negative charge is placed on one of the oxygen atoms, indicated by the extra electron. The structure satisfies the octet rule for each atom, and the total number of valence electrons is conserved.