Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the IO_3^- ion?

• A. The central iodine atom is surrounded by three oxygen atoms, each connected by a single bond, and iodine has two lone pairs.
• B. The central iodine atom is surrounded by three oxygen atoms, each connected by a single bond, and there is one lone pair on iodine.
• C. The central iodine atom is surrounded by three oxygen atoms, with one double bond and two single bonds, and iodine has no lone pairs.
• D. The central iodine atom is surrounded by three oxygen atoms, all connected by double bonds, and there is one lone pair on iodine.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Determine the total number of valence electrons for the IO_3^- ion. Add the valence electrons from iodine (I), oxygen atoms (O), and the extra electron due to the negative charge.
2. Step 2: Draw a skeletal structure with iodine as the central atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. Connect each oxygen to iodine with single bonds initially.
3. Step 3: Distribute the remaining valence electrons to satisfy the octet rule for the oxygen atoms first, placing lone pairs around them.
4. Step 4: Check the formal charges on each atom. To minimize formal charges, convert one of the iodine-oxygen single bonds into a double bond, adjusting lone pairs accordingly.
5. Step 5: Confirm the final Lewis structure by ensuring the total number of electrons matches the total valence electrons, formal charges are minimized, and the octet rule is satisfied for oxygen atoms. Note the number of lone pairs on iodine based on this structure.