Single electron in a Lewis Structure

[Bronson Mathos 1H]

Hello, I am a little lost on making Lewis structures and was wondering if it is possible to have an unpaired electron in a Lewis structure?

[Melody Haratian 2J]

Hi!
It’s possible for there to be an unpaired electron in a Lewis structure. When it happens the molecule is called a radical, because one of its electrons are unpaired and it’s highly reactive. An unpaired electron in a Lewis structure happens when there is an odd number of valence electrons when you add up the electrons of all the atoms involved in the structure.

[Steph Du 1H]

Adding onto the above poster, radicals have very short lifetimes and they damage DNA since they can react with it. That is why we need things like Vitamin C and Vitamin E which react with radicals before they cause damage.

[emilyyribarren1k]

Lavelle said that typically if you're making a Lewis Structure and count an odd amount of electrons you should be wary and double-check the charge because usually all the electrons would be paired. However, it can happen that there is an unpaired electron and when this is the case it is known as a radical.

[Lung Sheng Liang 3J]

Yes, it's possible when the number of valence electrons is an odd number. This means that the molecule is a radical and highly reactive.

[Julianna Shimabukuro 1D]

Yes. If there is a single unpaired electron in a lewis structure, this is a radical as the others said.

[Evelyn Silva 3J]

Yes it is possible to have an unpaired electron. This will usually happen when you have an odd number of electrons and they are known as radicals. They are very reactive.