LEWIS STRUCTURE OF

MOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
for General Chemistry1/ Grade 12
Quarter 2 / Week3

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NegOr_Q2_GenChem1
-12_SLK Week3_v2
 FOREWORD

The self-learning kit (SLK) is designed to help

STEM students understand that things are made up
of atoms. These atoms interact and bond together
to form different types of compounds. Students
should realize that bonding is an interaction of
electrons in their outermost orbital to form either
ionic, covalent, or metallic bonds. In this module,
the students are thought how to draw Lewis’s
structure of an element or a compound which is
part of the valence bond theory.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
K : describe the concept of the octet rule.
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S : draw the Lewis structure of simple compounds.
A : recognized the significance of Lewis structure in reactions
and formation of a chemical bond.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
- Draw the Lewis structure of ions (STEM_GC11ESIId-g70)

I. WHAT HAPPENED PRE-ACTIVITY/PRE-TEST

I. Using the periodic table, complete the table below by

providing the following
a.) total number of electrons
b.) the number of energy level (n)
c.) the number of valence electrons.

Total Electron Number of Number of valence

Element
if neutral energy level (n) electrons
C

Cl

Mg

Ca

Li

II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION:

The Lewis Structure

Electrons are located further outside of the nucleus of an
atom (see atoms of Na and F below). When atoms combine to
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 form compounds, the first sub-atomic particles in the atom to
interact are the electrons. The result of these electron
interactions is called chemical bonds. These chemical bonds
are called ionic and covalent bonds. The ionic bond result
from a transfer of electrons from one species (usually a
metal) to another (usually a nonmetal or polyatomic ion). On
the other hand, covalent bonds result from a sharing of
electrons by two or more atoms (usually nonmetals). This
idea was the basis for the formation of the Lewis structure
proposed by Gilbert Newton Lewis.
Na F

The Bohr diagram of Sodium and Fluorine. The blue dot is the
neutron, yellow is the proton, and the red dot are the electrons.

Lewis structure or the electron-dot structure utilizes the

valence electron and is represented by a dot. Take note that
the valence electrons are located in the outermost energy
level (n) and these are the ones that will interact first during
a chemical reaction. As discussed, elements tend to give off
or accept an electron to be stable or to be a noble-gas
configuration statement is commonly known as the octet
rule.
Lewis structure for monoatomic element:
Monatomic or monoatomic elements are elements that are
stable as single atoms. Mon- or Mono- means one. In order for
an element to be stable by itself, it needs to have a stable octet
of valence electrons.
Example 1. The Lewis structure of the following monoatomic
atom are:
a. Magnesium (Mg):
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 Mg - 2 dots, since Mg belong to group 2, its valence electron is 2.

b. Fluorine (F):

F - 7 dots, since F belongs to group 17, its valence electron is 7.

The table below makes it easier to identify the number of

valence electrons corresponding to a group. In addition, based
on the valence electron, we can also predict the charge or the
oxidation number/state of the elements. It’s worth noting that
metals tend to give off electrons to be stable and once it gives
off, it becomes a positive charge. In contrast, non-metals tend
to accept electrons to be stable and become a negative
charge.
Take note that the valence electron of transition metals varies and will not be
included here. This is due to the overlapping of atomic orbitals.
Valence Number of
Group No. Oxidation No.
Electron/s Dots
1 1 1 +1
2 2 2 +2
3 – 12
- - -
Transition metals)
13 3 3 +3
14 4 4 ±4
15 5 5 -3
16 6 6 -2
17 7 7 -1
18 8 8 0
You might be wondering why the oxidation number of
group 18 or noble gases is equal to zero. This is due to
stability; the energy level of each noble gas is already fully
filled by electrons. That is why noble gases are highly
unreactive and do not want to give off or accept electrons in
forming a chemical bond. In addition, noble gases usually exist
in nature as monoatomic.

Lewis structure for Binary ionic compound:

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 Binary ionic compounds are compounds containing two
distinct atoms and forming a bond. Since it is an ionic
compound, it contains a metal that lose/s its electron/s and a
non-metal that accept/s an electron/s.
Example 2. For a binary ionic compound, the following are
corresponding Lewis structures.

There are ions that contain covalent bonds, covalent

bond contains a shared electron and is represented by a line.
This is in order for the atoms to satisfy their octet. One line
(─) also known as single bonds shares 2 electrons, 2 lines (═)
or double bonds share 4 electrons, and triple bonds (≡) share
6 electrons.

Lewis structure for polyatomic ions:

Polyatomic ions are covalent compounds that contain a
charge, also known as formal charges. The bonding within the
atom is covalent thus electrons are being shared between
them.
Example 3. For polyatomic ions, the following are the steps in
determining the Lewis structure.
1. Determine the total valence electron (VE T). Using the formula,
VET = ∑ 𝑉𝐸 + 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠 where VE = valence
electrons
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 CO32- 2 is added since the total charge is
negative 2. Negative charge means,
VET = (1 x 4) + (3 x 6) + 2 = 24 electron is being added.
Consequently, if the charge of the
polyatomic ion is positive, it should be
For C For O deducted. Positive means electrons are
being remove.

2. Determine the number of bonded electron (BE), assuming all are

single
bonds. BE
= 6 Since there are 3 possible single bonds, each can
accommodate 2 electrons.
- In identifying the central atom, one must
consider electronegative value, the least value is
the central in this case C is least electronegative
than O (consult a book for values).

3. Count the number of required electrons (RE) needed to fulfill

its octet. Just copy the line structure in Step
2,
C needs 2 electrons (6 electrons are already shared)

Each O needs 6 electrons (2 electrons are already shared)

Therefore, RE = (6 x 3) + (1 x 2) = 20

4. Calculate the available electrons (AE) using the formula;

AE = VET – RE = 24 – 20 = 4

5. Determine the number of bonds or lone pair electrons around

the central atom. Using the formula;
No. of bonds or lone pair electron - 2 means in every bond
contains 2 electrons or 2
electrons in every lone pairs
= (BE –
AE)
2
= (BE – AE)/2 = (6 – 4)/2 = 2/2 = 1

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 - Note: If the value is positive, add bonds. If negative, add 2 electrons as lone pair at the
central atom (Example; if -1 add 2 electrons, if -2 add 4 electrons, etc.)
6. Therefore, the Lewis structure.

Partial bracket represents the partial charge of CO 3-2. There are also 3 possible structure, but
are just resonance, meaning the double bond shift its electrons to another atoms.

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION/POST TEST:

I. Determine the Lewis structure of:

a. Cl d. F2 g. PO4-3 j. Ca
b. NaBr e. O3 h. N2
c. H2O f. CN- i. NH4+

REFERENCES

Ebbing, Darrell, and Steven D. Gammon. General chemistry.

Cengage Learning, 2016.
Zumdahl, Steven S. & Zumdahl, Susan A. (2007). Chemistry 7 th ed.
Houghton Mifflin Company, USA. Pp106-111.

SYNOPSIS

This student learning kit deals with the Lewis structure

of molecular compounds as well as polyatomic ions. A Lewis
structure is a very simplified representation of the valence shell
electrons in a molecule. Learning about Lewis structure is easy

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especially that there are different strategies in getting the valence
electrons.
Join us, as we dive in through the world of Lewis
structure of ions.

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