Chapter 5: Problem 7

Draw a dot diagram for hydrazine, \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\), sometimes used as a rocket fuel.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The dot diagram for hydrazine is drawn by first counting the total number of valence electrons, which is 14. The atoms are then connected using single bonds, and any remaining electrons are placed as lone pairs to satisfy the octet rule for the central nitrogen atoms. The final dot diagram for hydrazine is: H H | | N=N | | H H Both nitrogen atoms have 8 electrons surrounding them, and all hydrogen atoms have 2 electrons, adhering to the octet and duet rules respectively.

Step by step solution

Count the valence electrons

To draw the dot diagram for hydrazine (N₂H₄), first, we need to count the total number of valence electrons in the molecule. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1 valence electron. Since there are 2 nitrogen atoms and 4 hydrogen atoms in hydrazine, the total number of valence electrons is: \(2 \times 5 + 4 \times 1 = 10 + 4 = 14\)

Connect the atoms

Now, we need to connect the atoms in the molecule using single bonds. Place one nitrogen atom in the center and connect the 4 hydrogen atoms and the other nitrogen atom around it. N-H | N-H This uses up 10 valence electrons (2 electrons per single bond).

Add lone pairs

Now that the atoms are connected, we must satisfy the octet rule for each of the nitrogen atoms. We currently have 4 electrons left (14 - 10 = 4). Since hydrogen atoms can only have a maximum of 2 electrons, we will only be placing the remaining 4 electrons on the nitrogen atoms as lone pairs. Place two lone pairs on each nitrogen atom. H H | | N=N | | H H Now all 14 valence electrons are used.

Check the octet rule

Now that all the valence electrons have been placed, we should check the octet rule. For both nitrogen atoms, there are 8 electrons surrounding them: - 4 electrons from σ bonds (1 single bond with the other nitrogen and 2 single bonds with hydrogen atoms) - 4 electrons in the two lone pairs. All other atoms (the hydrogen atoms) obey the duet rule and are surrounded by 2 electrons (coming from the N-H σ bonds). Therefore, the dot diagram for hydrazine is complete, and the molecule adheres to the octet and duet rules.

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Draw a dot diagram for hydrazine, \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{4}\), sometimes used as a rocket fuel.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Count the valence electrons

Connect the atoms

Add lone pairs

Check the octet rule

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