Using formal charge as a guide, choose the most favorable Lewis structure for the phosphate ion, PO4 (Note: electronegativity values: P = 2.1, O = 3.5) 3- 3- :0: :0: :0 -0: :0: :Ó: :0: Structure I Structure II Structure III O Structure II O Sructure II O Structure I O All three structures are equally favorable. :O : :o: :0 :
Formal Charges
Formal charges have an important role in organic chemistry since this concept helps us to know whether an atom in a molecule is neutral/bears a positive or negative charge. Even if some molecules are neutral, the atoms within that molecule need not be neutral atoms.
Polarity Of Water
In simple chemical terms, polarity refers to the separation of charges in a chemical species leading into formation of two polar ends which are positively charged end and negatively charged end. Polarity in any molecule occurs due to the differences in the electronegativities of the bonded atoms. Water, as we all know has two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. As oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen thus, there exists polarity in the bonds which is why water is known as a polar solvent.
Valence Bond Theory Vbt
Valence bond theory (VBT) in simple terms explains how individual atomic orbitals with an unpaired electron each, come close to each other and overlap to form a molecular orbital giving a covalent bond. It gives a quantum mechanical approach to the formation of covalent bonds with the help of wavefunctions using attractive and repulsive energies when two atoms are brought from infinity to their internuclear distance.
Using formal charge as a guide, choose the most favorable Lewis structure for the phosphate ion, PO43-. (Note: electronegativity values: P = 2.1, O = 3.5)
![Using formal charge as a guide, choose the most favorable Lewis structure for the phosphate ion, PO₄³⁻.
(Note: electronegativity values: P = 2.1, O = 3.5)
There are three structures depicted:
**Structure I:**
- The phosphorus atom (P) is in the center.
- Four oxygen atoms (O) surround the phosphorus atom, each connected by a single bond.
- Each oxygen atom has three lone pairs of electrons.
- A formal charge of 3- is shown next to the structure.
**Structure II:**
- The phosphorus atom (P) is in the center.
- One oxygen atom is connected by a double bond, while the other three are connected by single bonds.
- The double-bonded oxygen has two lone pairs, and the single-bonded oxygens each have three lone pairs.
- The formal charge of 3- is shown next to the structure.
**Structure III:**
- Similar to Structure II, with the double bond between the phosphorus and a different oxygen atom.
- The remaining three oxygens have single bonds with three lone pairs.
- The formal charge of 3- is shown next to the structure.
Options to select:
- ○ Structure II
- ○ Structure II
- ○ Structure I
- ○ All three structures are equally favorable.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F840f535b-f075-49f5-9fe8-c5a30f6f8dd7%2Fb805c227-4827-4862-9905-834139e11b38%2F4mpwb9r_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
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