Lewis structure of NCl3

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The Lewis structure of NCl₃ contains three single bonds, with nitrogen in the center, and three chlorines on either side. There are three lone pairs on each chlorine atom, and one lone pair on the nitrogen atom.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of NCl₃:

#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… nitrogen is a group 15 element and chlorine is a group 17 element. Hence, nitrogen has five valence electrons and chlorine has seven valence electrons.

Now NCl₃ has one nitrogen atom and three chlorine atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of nitrogen atom + (valence electrons of chlorine atom × 3)

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 5 + 21 = 26

• Now decide the central atom

The atom with the least electronegative value is placed at the center. By looking at the periodic table, we get the electronegativity values for nitrogen and chlorine as follows:

Electronegativity value of nitrogen = 3.04
Electronegativity value of chlorine = 3.16

Obviously, nitrogen is less electronegative than chlorine. Hence, assume that nitrogen is the central atom.

So now, put nitrogen in the center and chlorines on either side. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of NCl₃ something like this:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of BrF₅ (4 steps)

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond. Since nitrogen is surrounded by three chlorines, use six electrons to show three chemical bonds as follows:

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of BrF₃ (4 steps)

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 26 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used six valence electrons. Hence, twenty valence electrons are remaining.

Two valence electrons represent one lone pair. So twenty valence electrons = ten lone pairs.

Note that nitrogen is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell. And chlorine 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 chlorines, so each chlorine will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (nitrogen) will get one lone pair.

So the Lewis structure of NCl₃ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (nitrogen), 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 HF (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 nitrogen atom

Valence electrons = 5
Nonbonding electrons = 2
Bonding electrons = 6

Formal charge = 5 – 2 – ½ (6) = 0

• For each chlorine atom

Valence electrons = 7
Nonbonding electrons = 6
Bonding electrons = 2

Formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Mention the formal charges of atoms on the structure. So the Lewis structure of NCl₃ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both (nitrogen and chlorine) are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of NCl₃.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of BrF₅
• Lewis structure of BrF₃
• Lewis structure of HF
• Lewis structure of IF₅
• Lewis structure of SCl₂

External video

• NCl3 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Dot Structure for NCl3 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• NCl3 lewis structure, molecular geometry, bond angle, polarity, electrons – Topblogtenz
• NCl3 (Nitrogen trichloride) Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• NCl3 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• Chemical Bonding: NCl3 Lewis Structure – The Geoexchange
• NCl3 Lewis Structure, Geometry, Hybridization, and Polarity – Techiescientist
• Draw the Lewis Structure for NCl3 – Chegg
• Draw the Lewis structure for NCl3 – Homework.Study.com
• NCl3 Lewis Structure, Molecular Structure, Hybridization, Bond Angle, and Shape – Geometry of Molecules
• Lewis structure of nitrogen trichloride NCl3 – Chemistry Online
• Draw the lewis structure of the NCl3 molecule include lone pairs – Brainly
• Using Lewis symbols and Lewis structures, make a sketch of the formation of NCl3 from N and Cl atoms, showing valence-shell electrons – Pearson
• How to draw NCl3 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• What is the molecular geometry of NCl3? – Quora
• NCl3 Geometry and Hybridization – Chemistry Steps
• Draw the Lewis structure of NCl3 – Bartleby
• Write the Lewis structure for NCl3 – Numerade
• Draw the Lewis structure for NCl3 – OneClass
• What is the dipole moment of nitrogen trichloride? – Socratic