Input interpretation
superoxide anion | structure diagram
Result
Draw the Lewis structure of superoxide anion. Start by drawing the overall structure of the molecule: Count the total valence electrons of the oxygen (n_O, val = 6) atoms, including the net charge: 2 n_O, val - n_charge = 13 Calculate the number of electrons needed to completely fill the valence shells for oxygen (n_O, full = 8): 2 n_O, full = 16 Subtracting these two numbers shows that 16 - 13 = 3 bonding electrons are expected (in such cases with an odd number, round down to 2 bonding electrons). Each bond has two electrons, so the above diagram has all the necessary bonds. There is 1 bond and hence 2 bonding electrons in the diagram. Fill in the remaining unbonded electrons on each atom. In total, there remain 13 - 2 = 11 electrons left to draw. Lastly, fill in the formal charges: Answer: | |