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Which of the following structures is the most preferred and hence of lowest energy for $\mathrm{SO}_{3}$ ?
Options:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Solution:
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Verified Answer
The correct answer is:
Formal charges help in selection of the lowest energy structure from a number of possible Lewis structures for a given species. Generally the lowest energy structure is the one with the smallest formal charges on the atoms.
Formal charge on an atom
$=$ total no. of valence electrons-non-bonding
electrons $-\frac{1}{2} \times$ bonding electrons.
For Lewis structure of $\mathrm{SO}_{3}$
Formal charge on $\mathrm{S}$ atom
$$
=6-0-\frac{1}{2} \times 12=0
$$
Formal charge on three $\mathrm{O}$ atoms
$$
=6-4-\frac{1}{2} \times 4=0
$$
Formal charge on an atom
$=$ total no. of valence electrons-non-bonding
electrons $-\frac{1}{2} \times$ bonding electrons.
For Lewis structure of $\mathrm{SO}_{3}$
Formal charge on $\mathrm{S}$ atom
$$
=6-0-\frac{1}{2} \times 12=0
$$
Formal charge on three $\mathrm{O}$ atoms
$$
=6-4-\frac{1}{2} \times 4=0
$$
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