Methods for drawing Lewis structures

Find total number of valence electrons - use periodic table group

Add one electron for each negative charge
Subtract one electron for each positive charge
Connect the atoms (odd atom in center if guessing connectivity)
Check duets (for H) and octets (third row & higher can exceed)
Total remaining electrons and how many needed to fill octets.
If you have too few electrons, then more must be shared, use the
general bonding trends to place more bonds between
incomplete octet atoms that are next to each other.
1 bond- H, F, Cl, Br, I
2 bonds- O, S
3 bonds- N, P
4 bonds- C, Si
Place nonbonding electrons on incomplete octet atoms
Assign Formal charge = valence - (bonds + unshared)
Crosscheck: valid Lewis structures:
have correct number of valence electrons
have correct formal charge (sums to total charge)
do not exceed octets for second row elements
Resonance: Only the electrons move and not the atoms.
Only ONE hybrid exists and not equilibrating forms.
All forms have the same total charge and number of electrons.
The major contributor will have:
the most covalent bonds,
the least amount of charge separation,
the most complete octets and duets as possible,
any negative charges on the most electronegative atoms.
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