Draw as many resonance structures as you can for the following nitrogen-containing compounds. Not all will obey the octet rule. Use curved arrows to depict the conversion of one structure into another. (b) NO

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the valence electrons for nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). Nitrogen typically has 5 valence electrons and oxygen has 6.
2. Draw the Lewis structure of NO. Start by connecting N and O with a single bond. Assign the remaining electrons to fulfill the octet as much as possible, keeping in mind that NO is a radical with an odd number of electrons.
3. Consider the possible locations for the unpaired electron. It can be placed on nitrogen or oxygen. This will affect the placement of double bonds and the formal charges in the resonance structures.
4. Draw resonance structures by moving the unpaired electron and pi electrons between N and O. Use curved arrows to show the movement of electrons from one structure to another, indicating the conversion between different resonance forms.
5. Evaluate the formal charges in each resonance structure to ensure they are minimized and check if all atoms (as much as possible) follow the octet rule, although in radicals like NO, the octet rule might not be fully obeyed.

Key Concepts

Resonance Structures

Resonance structures are different ways of drawing the same molecule that illustrate the delocalization of electrons. They are used to represent molecules where a single Lewis structure cannot adequately depict the electron distribution. Each resonance structure contributes to the overall hybrid structure, which is a more accurate representation of the molecule's actual electron configuration.

Octet Rule

The octet rule is a chemical guideline stating that atoms tend to bond in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases. While many elements follow this rule, some, like nitrogen in certain compounds, may have fewer or more than eight electrons due to resonance or other bonding scenarios.

Curved Arrows in Resonance

Curved arrows are a notation used in organic chemistry to show the movement of electrons during the formation of resonance structures. The tail of the arrow indicates the starting point of the electron pair, while the head points to where the electrons are moving. This visual representation helps in understanding how different resonance forms are interrelated and how electron delocalization occurs within a molecule.