The least electronegative element usually is the central element. The most energetically favorable structure is the one with zero formal charge on the atoms (or as near zero as possible).
Write the three stuctures, determine which atom is the least electronegative, and determine the formal charges on the atoms in each structure.
Which of the three isomers: NOBr, OBrN, or ONBr, is the most stable? Where should I start??
3 answers
Okay so would the answer be oBrN??
No, You have the central atom as the MOST electronegative but you want the central atom to be the LEAST electronegative. Also, OBrN has formal charges on the O of +1, on Br of +1, and -2 on N. Besides the -2 not being a small formal charge, the same charge on adjacent atoms is highly unlikely. In addition, N has only 1 bond and O has only 1 bond. Does one of the other structures have lower formal charges, have the central atom as the least electronegative element and have zero or near zero formal charges on the atoms (as well as O with 2 bonds, Br with 1 and N with 3)?
1 answer