GK QUESTION#3560
Four proposed bent O₃ Lewis diagrams each show a double bond between the left oxygen and central oxygen, and a single bond between the central oxygen and right oxygen. The table lists their nonbonding electron pairs. Which diagram gives the correct Lewis electron count and octets?
Swipe table sideways to see every column.
| Diagram | Central O lone pairs | Double-bonded terminal O lone pairs | Single-bonded terminal O lone pairs |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | 1 (above) | 2 (above and below) | 2 (above and right) |
| b | 1 (above) | 1 (above) | 3 (above, right and below) |
| c | 1 (above) | 2 (above and below) | 2 (above and below) |
| d | 1 (above) | 2 (above and below) | 3 (above, right and below) |
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Answer
D. d
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Explanation
Diagram d shows 18 valence electrons: six in the single and double bonds, two in the central oxygen lone pair, four on the double-bonded terminal oxygen and six on the singly bonded terminal oxygen. All three oxygens have octets. The corresponding formal charges are +1 on the central oxygen and −1 on the singly bonded terminal oxygen; ozone is described by equivalent resonance contributors.