Basic GC Questions from Chad's Vids

[MowgliR]

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When Chad is talking about molecular compounds, specifically N2O, he states that N is the central atom and not O because it can form more bonds. Why can N form more bonds that O?

 

[Ibracadabra]

N has 5 valence electrons; O has 6..
Typically, N makes 3 bonds whereas O makes 2 bonds
normally N has 1 lone pair and shares 3 valence e- with other atoms. For example, NH3, you have 3 cov bonds and one lone pair.
O normally has 2 lone pairs and shares 2 valence e- with other atoms. For example, H20, where you get 2 cov bonds and 2 lone pairs.

 

[Baylor2011]

If you look at the periodic table - Group IIIA makes 3 bonds (Think BCl_3 or AlCl_3), Group IVA makes 4 bonds (carbon ALWAYS has four bonds, unless you're talking transition states, blah blah), Group VA (Nitrogen group) makes 3 bonds and a non-bonding pair, Group VIA (Oxygen group) makes two bonds, Group VIIA (halides) make one bond, and Group VIIIA don't make any typically, these are the noble gases.

So the trend is, 3 bonds, 4 bonds, 3 bonds, 2 bonds, 1 bond, 0 bonds.

Just memorize that oxygen makes 2 bonds and nitrogen makes 3 with a non-bonding pair

Note: Also period 3 and below, they can form more bonds (violate octet rule) because they can put electrons into the d orbitals