Question

How do you write Lewis formulas for the reactant and product species in the following chemical equation, including nonbonding electrons? `N(g) + NO(g) -> N NO(g)`

Many free radicals combine to form molecules that do not contain any unpaired electrons. The driving force for the radical-radical combination reaction is the formation of a new electron-pair bond.

Answer 1

We gots formal separation of charge for `"nitrous oxide"`.....

Explanation:

`N-=stackrel(+)N-O^(+)`; going form the nitrogen around the left there are 5, 4, and 7 valence electrons, giving 7, 6, and 8 electrons associated with each atom, and formal electronic charges of `stackrel(0)N`, `stackrel(+I)N`, and `stackrel(-I)O`

For nitrogen monoxide we have a radical species, with 11 electrons to distribute......`*stackrel(..)N=stackrel(ddot)O:` is the usual representation. Clearly, the would react with atomic nitrogen gas.....

`N(g) + N=O(g)rarrN_2O(g)`

Can you do `NO_2` and `N_2O_4`? The former is a radical species, and both Lewis structures display charge separation.