Input interpretation
tetramethylammonium cation | structure diagram
Result
Draw the Lewis structure of tetramethylammonium cation. Start by drawing the overall structure of the molecule: Count the total valence electrons of the carbon (n_C, val = 4), hydrogen (n_H, val = 1), and nitrogen (n_N, val = 5) atoms, including the net charge: 4 n_C, val + 12 n_H, val + n_N, val - n_charge = 32 Calculate the number of electrons needed to completely fill the valence shells for carbon (n_C, full = 8), hydrogen (n_H, full = 2), and nitrogen (n_N, full = 8): 4 n_C, full + 12 n_H, full + n_N, full = 64 Subtracting these two numbers shows that 64 - 32 = 32 bonding electrons are needed. Each bond has two electrons, so the above diagram has all the necessary bonds. There are 16 bonds and hence 32 bonding electrons in the diagram. Fill in the remaining unbonded electrons on each atom. In total, there remain 32 - 32 = 0 electrons left to draw. Lastly, fill in the formal charges: Answer: | |