Drawing an Electron-Dot Structure for CO_2
Draw an electron-dot structure for carbon dioxide, CO_2.
STRATEGY
Connect the atoms so that carbon forms four bonds and each oxygen forms two bonds (Table 4.4). The only possible structure contains two carbon–oxygen double bonds.
Table 4.4 Covalent Bonding Trends for Second-Row Elements in Neutral Molecules
Group | Number of Valence Electrons | Number of Bonds | Example |
3A | 3 | 3 | BH_3 |
4A | 4 | 4 | CH_4 |
5A | 5 | 3 | NH_3 |
6A | 6 | 2 | H_2O |
7A | 7 | 1 | HF |
8A | 8 | 0 | Ne |
Carbon dioxide, CO_2