How do you find the bond order of #NO_3^-#?

1 Answer
anor277
Oct 10, 2016

The bond order is the average, #"4 electron pairs" / "3 bonds"# #=# #"4/3 electron pairs per bond"#.

Explanation:

The Lewis structure of nitrate ion is unusual because it features 3 formal charges in that the nitrogen is quaternized and formally cationic, and 2 of the oxygen atoms have formal negative charges. Of course, the sum of the charges #+1+2xx(-1)=-1# for a uninegative ion.

See this old answer.

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