Question

NO2 can react with the NO in smog, forming a bond between the N atoms. Draw the structure of the resulting compound, including formal charges.

Answer 1

First, let's write down the balanced chemical reaction between the given reactants:

NO₂ + NO → N₂O + O₂

The Lewis structure of the main product is shown in the attached picture. To determine the formal charge of each element, the formula is as follows:

Formal Charge = Valence electrons - Non-bonding valence electrons - (Bonding electrons/2)

For the leftmost N:
Formal charge = 5 - 2 - 6/2 = 0
For the middle N:
Formal charge = 5 - 0 - 8/2 = 1
For O:
Formal charge = 6 - 6 - 2/2 = -1