# How do you draw the lewis structure for ions?

May 13, 2018

Well, what is the ion? Sulfate, chlorate, nitrate....?

#### Explanation:

In all of these cases, we must take the valence electrons of EACH atom in the ion, add the negative charge, (which is usually associated with the most electronegative atom, i.e. oxygen....) and then write the Lewis structure, and then ASSIGN the geometry...

For sulfate we got $5 \times 6 + 2 = 32 \cdot \text{valence electrons}$, i.e. sixteen electron pairs...

And so....${\left(O =\right)}_{2} S {\left(- {O}^{-}\right)}_{2}$...the oxygen atoms are conceived to bear the negative charges given that they own NINE electrons.

For chlorate we got ${\left(O =\right)}_{2} \ddot{C} l - {O}^{-}$...$7 + 3 \times 6 + 1 = 26 \cdot \text{valence electrons}$

For nitrate we got $O = \stackrel{+}{N} {\left(- {O}^{-}\right)}_{2}$...$5 + 3 \times 6 + 1 = 24 \cdot \text{valence electrons}$

And can you assigen the structure of the complex ion on the the basis of VESPER....