SO2 (Textbook Exercise 6A.15)

[Sasha Gladkikh 2A]

Hi,

In textbook exercise 6A.15, it asks to identify the Lewis acid and Lewis base, as well as to draw the Lewis structure/symbol of each, given the formulas Cl^- and SO₂.

In the answer key, SO₂ is only drawn with 1 double bond. Why?
I thought SO₂ could have 2 double bonds, as it reduces the formal charges of the individual atoms (since S can use its d-orbitals to hold extra electrons in bonding).

[Ashley Tonthat 2B]

Hello,

I think that they did this because it is one of the resonance structures for SO2, but you're right that the true Lewis structure would have 2 double bonds because of FC. I wouldn't worry about it too much since the question is just asking if it is Lewis acid or base. Hope this helps.

[radhika singh 1A]

SO2 has resonance so it's bond order is 1 and 1/2. I think that there might've been a misprint in the textbook, or a glitch.

[Omar Alkhalili 1J]

Hello! I believe the structure of SO2 is two double bonds, but the book is not focusing on that since the question is referring to acids/bases. I know in the past, there were certain lewis structures drawn differently because of the focus of the question.