Lewis structure of H2S

The information on this page is ✔ fact-checked.

The Lewis structure of H₂S contains two single bonds, with sulfur in the center, and two hydrogens on either side. There are two lone pairs on the sulfur atom, and the hydrogen atom does not have any lone pair.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of H₂S:

#1 Draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Mark lone pairs
#4 Calculate formal charge and check stability (if octet is already completed on central atom)

Let’s one by one discuss each step in detail.

#1 Draw skeleton

In this step, first calculate the total number of valence electrons. And then, decide the central atom.

• Let’s calculate the total number of valence electrons

We know that… hydrogen is a group 1 element and sulfur is a group 16 element. Hence, hydrogen has one valence electron and sulfur has six valence electrons.

Now H₂S has two hydrogen atoms and one sulfur atom.

So the total number of valence electrons = (valence electrons of hydrogen atom × 2) + valence electrons of sulfur atom

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 2 + 6 = 8

• Now decide the central atom

We can not assume hydrogen as the central atom, because the central atom is bonded with at least two other atoms. And hydrogen has only one electron in its last shell, so it can not make more than one bond.

Hence, assume that sulfur is the central atom.

So now, put sulfur in the center and hydrogens on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of H₂S something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of C₂H₂ (5 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since sulfur is surrounded by two hydrogens, use four electrons to show two chemical bonds as follows:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of SF₄ (4 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 8 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used four valence electrons. Hence, four valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So four valence electrons = two lone pairs.

Note that hydrogen is a period 1 element, so it can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell. And sulfur is a period 3 element, so it can keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Also, make sure that you start marking these lone pairs on outside atoms first. And then, on the central atom.

The outside atoms are hydrogens. But hydrogen can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell. Hence, don’t mark the lone pairs on hydrogen.

So the central atom (sulfur) will get two lone pairs.

Now draw the Lewis structure of H₂S something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (sulfur), and also on the outside atoms. Therefore, the octet rule is satisfied.

After completing the octet, one last thing we need to do is, calculate the formal charge and check the stability of the above structure.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of CCl₄ (4 steps)

#4 Calculate formal charge and check stability

The following formula is used to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ bonding electrons

Collect the data from the above structure and then, write it down below as follows:

• For each hydrogen atom

Valence electrons = 1
Nonbonding electrons = 0
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 1 – 0 – ½ (2) = 0

• For sulfur atom

Valence electrons = 6
Nonbonding electrons = 4
Bonding electrons = 4

Formal charge = 6 – 4 – ½ (4) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of H₂S looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (hydrogen and sulfur) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of H₂S.

And each horizontal line drawn in the above structure represents a pair of bonding valence electrons.

📝 Your feedback matters. Visit our contact page.

Related

• Lewis structure of C₂H₂
• Lewis structure of SF₄
• Lewis structure of CCl₄
• Lewis structure of OF₂
• Lewis structure of CS₂

External video

• H2S Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for H2S – Wayne Breslyn

External links

• H2S Structural Formula & Overview | What is H2S? – Study.com
• H2S Lewis Structure & Molecular Geometry – What’s Insight
• H2S Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization and Polarity – Geometry of Molecules
• H2S Molecular geometry or shape, electron geometry, Bond angle – Topblogtenz
• Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• H2S Lewis Structure, Geometry – Kemicalinfo
• Molecular Geometry of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) – Chemistry Learner
• H2S Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Lewis structure of hydrogen sulfide H2S – Chemistry Online
• H2S Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, Hybridization, and MO Diagram – Techiescientist
• Why is the lewis structure of H2S bent at an angle but not linear? – Wyzant
• Is H2S Polar or nonpolar? H2S Lewis Structure, H2S properties – ChemWhite
• How to draw H2S Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Chemical Bonding: H2S Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• How can you determine the Lewis dot structure of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)? – Quora
• The Lewis Dot Structure for H2S – MakeTheBrainHappy
• Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot structure for H2S – Numerade
• Lewis Structure of H2S – ShowMe
• Draw the Lewis structure for the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) molecule – Brainly
• Hydrogen sulfide is H2S. Draw the Lewis structure – Chegg
• H2s Lewis Structure.jpg – Course Hero
• h2s lewis structure – Quizlet
• Molecule shape and electron geometries. Why isn’t H2S linear? – Reddit
• What is Lewis structure for hydrogen sulphide? – Answers
• H2S Geometry and Hybridization – Chemistry Steps