The loss or gain of the valence electrons forms ions that electrostatically attract to form ionic bonds. Consequently, the valence electrons are loosely held therefore, they participate in chemical reactions by being gained, lost, or shared.įor instance, two atoms share any one valence electron to form a two-electron covalent bond. The only reasonable Lewis electron dot diagram for this compound has the P atom making five covalent bonds:įormally, the P atom has 10 electrons in its valence shell.Valence electrons are the outermost, farthest from the nucleus, and the nuclear attraction. Such compounds are formed only by central atoms in the third row of the periodic table or beyond that have empty d orbitals in their valence shells that can participate in covalent bonding. These are called expanded valence shell molecules. The third violation to the octet rule is found in those compounds with more than eight electrons assigned to their valence shell. For example, beryllium can form two covalent bonds, resulting in only four electrons in its valence shell:īoron commonly makes only three covalent bonds, resulting in only six valence electrons around the B atom. The most common examples are the covalent compounds of beryllium and boron. These stable compounds have less than eight electrons around an atom in the molecule. Although NO is a stable compound, it is very chemically reactive, as are most other odd-electron compounds.Įlectron-deficient molecules represent the second violation to the octet rule. The Lewis electron dot diagram for NO is as follows:Īlthough the O atom has an octet of electrons, the N atom has only seven electrons in its valence shell. Examples of stable odd-electron molecules are NO, NO 2, and ClO 2. With an odd number of electrons, at least one atom in the molecule will have to violate the octet rule. Although they are few, some stable compounds have an odd number of electrons in their valence shells. Odd-electron molecules represent the first violation to the octet rule. There are three violations to the octet rule. As with many rules, there are exceptions, or violations. This does not mean that the octet rule is useless-quite the contrary.
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