3) Draw the skeletal structure by connecting the atoms with single bonds.
4) Give each of the atoms an
octet (8 e-). Adding unshared pairs of electrons
5) Count the total number of e- used through step
4 and compare to the number calculated in step 2.
a) If it results in zero, the structure
is correct.
b) For every two electrons too many,
another bond is added (minimize formal charges).
Multiple bonds form only
with C, N, O and S.
Total number of
bonds to neutral atoms:
• 4
bonds to C
• 3 bonds to N, P
• 2 bonds to O, S
• 1 bond to H, F, Cl, Br, I