Draw a Lewis structure for NOBr

Draw a Lewis structure for NOBr

The correct answer and explanation is:

Lewis Structure for NOBr (Nitrosyl Bromide):

   :Br:
    |
N═O

Expanded version with lone pairs:

   ..
:Br—N═O:
      ..

Explanation:

Nitrosyl bromide (NOBr) consists of three atoms: nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and bromine (Br). To draw its Lewis structure, follow these steps:

1. Count the total number of valence electrons:
   • Nitrogen (N): 5 valence electrons
   • Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons
   • Bromine (Br): 7 valence electrons
     Total = 5 + 6 + 7 = 18 valence electrons
2. Determine the central atom:
   Nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen and typically forms multiple bonds, so it becomes the central atom. The skeletal structure is Br–N–O.
3. Form single bonds:
   Connect Br to N and N to O with single bonds:
   • Each bond uses 2 electrons
   • Two bonds use 4 electrons
     Remaining electrons = 18 – 4 = 14 electrons
4. Distribute remaining electrons to complete octets:
   • Place 6 electrons (3 lone pairs) on Br
   • Place 6 electrons (3 lone pairs) on O
     That uses up 12 electrons, with 2 electrons remaining
5. Form a double bond between N and O:
   Use the remaining 2 electrons to form a second bond between N and O. This makes a double bond between nitrogen and oxygen, which satisfies the octet rule.
6. Check formal charges:
   • Br has a formal charge of 0
   • N has a formal charge of 0
   • O has a formal charge of 0

This makes the structure stable and accurate. Nitrogen forms three bonds, bromine one, and oxygen two. The total number of valence electrons is correctly accounted for. The molecule is linear due to sp hybridization of the nitrogen atom.