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Chapter 5: Problem 14

Draw a dot diagram for the carbonate anion, \(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
In the Lewis structure of \(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\), the central carbon atom forms single bonds with three surrounding oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons, and the entire structure has a 2- charge.

Step by step solution

01

1. Count the total number of valence electrons.

Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons, oxygen (O) has 6 valence electrons, and there are three oxygen atoms in the carbonate anion. Additionally, there are two extra electrons due to the 2- charge of the anion. Therefore, the total number of valence electrons is: 4 (C) + 3 * 6 (O) + 2 (charge) = 4 + 18 + 2 = 24 valence electrons
02

2. Arrange the atoms.

Carbon is the central atom, and the three oxygen atoms are surrounding it. In general, the least electronegative element tends to be the central atom.
03

3. Distribute the electrons.

First, arrange the single bonds between the carbon and each of the three oxygen atoms, which uses 6 electrons in total (2 per bond). Now, we have 18 electrons left (24 - 6). Next, distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule for each atom. Start with the outer oxygen atoms, adding 6 electrons to each of them, which uses up another 18 electrons. Since the central carbon atom already has 3 bonds (6 electrons), its octet is also complete.
04

4. Finalize the Lewis structure.

There are no electrons left, and all atoms have a complete octet. The Lewis structure for the carbonate anion, \(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\), consists of a central carbon atom with single bonds to three oxygen atoms. Each oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons, and the structure also has a 2- charge: O O | | C | O Remember the 2- charge on the entire structure.

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