Problem 2.7

[Noah Baird 1D]

The textbook problem 2.7 asks to find the Lewis structures of the [N5]+ ion. For molecules such as this in which the Lewis structure is not very obvious, what is the best way to even start the problem to arrive at one of the proper resonance structures?

[Joshua Azer]

To start, calculate the total valence electrons (24 for [N5]+), then sketch possible structures that maintain nitrogen’s preferred bonding patterns and experiment with double or triple bonds to achieve a stable configuration.