Question

Does the Lewis Structure for `BrO_3^-` have three double bonds or two double bonds?

Answer 1

I just found the answer in the comments of the Youtube video after asking. There is a negative charge on the molecule, so the O gets the -1 charge and a triple bond is not preferred.

Explanation:

From the Youtube video author's comments:

"The reason we don't use three double bonds (on the Br) is because it is preferred to have the -1 charge to be on the most electronegative element when drawing the Lewis structure. In this case that is O.

---Dr. B"