Homework Problem 2B.9(b)

[Doreen Liu 4D]

When drawing the lewis structure of Potassium Phosphide, do we connect the K+ together or do we separate them around the P^3- structure?

[Hiba Alnajjar_2C]

I believe that they should be separated around the phosphide structure, as this is an ionic compound. In contrast to covalent compounds, no electrons are being shared between the ions. Rather, electron(s) are being transferred, meaning you shouldn't draw a connection in your structure.

[MMckinney_4H]

Because it is an ionic compound, you would separate them, keeping the electrons by phosphorus. You go about arranging the lewis structure the same way but at the end you take the electrons from the bonds and give them to the phosphorus because it needs to end up with a charge of -3 as phosphorus does in ionic structures. This leaves each potassium with a charge of +1 which is typical of potassium.