Achieve question 3

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IMOGENE GAEDE 1E
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 6:32 am

Achieve question 3

Postby IMOGENE GAEDE 1E » Sat Nov 02, 2024 4:58 pm

Hello, I was confused about resonance structures in problem 3 of the Achieve assignment. The instructions said to draw the resonance structure that "minimizes formal charge" and I had trouble with drawing a phosphite ion. Can someone explain to me why my original Lewis structure (the top drawing) is incorrect (the second one is my attempt that was correct). They both have a total formal charge of -3 (the charge on the ion), but why is it 'better' to have charges on the oxygens as opposed to the phosphorus? Thanks!
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Christa 2I
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Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2024 8:28 am

Re: Achieve question 3

Postby Christa 2I » Sat Nov 02, 2024 5:36 pm

Since oxygen is a more electronegative element than phosphorus, it makes more sense that oxygen would have a greater pull on the shared electrons, resulting in negative formal charges on the O atoms rather than the P. Additionally, your second drawing gives phosphorus an octet.


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