Expanded Octet

[Trent Yamamoto 2J]

Lewis structures with expanded octets have lower energy than with the regular octet structure (comparing the formal charge), so is it more stable and therefore more favorable to draw structures with expanded octets?

[Sidharth D 1E]

Yes, it is more stable, because the formal charges for the molecule for the expanded octet result in the more dominant resonance structure.

[Rohit Ghosh 4F]

It is important to note that expanded octets only form for elements in period 3 and beyond.

[Anthony Hatashita 4H]

Yes, this is testable with calculating the formal charges of the atoms

[Megan_1F]

Yes, expanded octets start from the 3rd row because the 3rd energy level can have the d block sub shell.