Lewis structure of O2

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The Lewis structure of O₂ contains a double bond between the two oxygen atoms, and each oxygen atom has two lone pairs.

Steps

By using the following steps, you can easily draw the Lewis structure of O₂:

#1 Draw skeleton
#2 Show chemical bond
#3 Mark lone pairs
#4 Complete octet on central atom
#5 Calculate formal charge and check stability

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… oxygen is a group 16 element. Hence, oxygen has six valence electrons.

Now O₂ has two oxygen atoms.

So the total number of valence electrons = valence electrons of oxygen atom × 2

Therefore, the total number of valence electrons = 6 × 2 = 12

• Now decide the central atom

There are two oxygen atoms in O₂. Hence, we can assume any one as the central atom. Let’s assume that right oxygen is the central atom.

So now, put two oxygens next to each other. And draw the rough skeleton structure for the Lewis structure of O₂ something like this:

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

#2 Show chemical bond

Place two electrons between the atoms to show a chemical bond as follows:

#3 Mark lone pairs

As calculated earlier, we have a total of 12 valence electrons. And in the above structure, we have already used two valence electrons. Hence, ten valence electrons are remaining.

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

Note that oxygen is a period 2 element, so it can not 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 atom is left oxygen, so left oxygen will get three lone pairs. And the central atom (right oxygen) will get two lone pairs.

So the Lewis structure of O₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the outside atom. But, the central atom (right oxygen) doesn’t form an octet.

So in the next step, we have to complete the octet on the central atom.

Also read: How to draw Lewis structure of C₂H₄ (5 steps)

#4 Complete octet on central atom

Remember that oxygen is a period 2 element, so it can not keep more than 8 electrons in its last shell.

Now the right oxygen already has six valence electrons. Hence, the right oxygen needs two more valence electrons to complete its octet.

So convert one lone pair from the left oxygen atom to make a new bond with the right oxygen atom. And then, the Lewis structure of O₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the octet is completed on the central atom (right oxygen), and also on the outside atom. 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 BF₃ (4 steps)

#5 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 oxygen 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 O₂ looks something like this:

In the above structure, you can see that the formal charges of both oxygens are zero. Therefore, this is the stable Lewis structure of O₂.

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

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Related

• Lewis structure of CO
• Lewis structure of C₂H₄
• Lewis structure of BF₃
• Lewis structure of SO₃
• Lewis structure of O₃

External video

• O2 Lewis Structure: How to Draw the Lewis Structure for Oxygen Gas (Diatomic Oxygen) – Wayne Breslyn

External links

• O2 Lewis Structure – Learn With Dr. Scott
• Oxygen (O2) Molecule Lewis Structure – Chemistry School
• Lewis Structure for O2 (Dioxygen or Oxygen Gas) – The University of Maryland
• What is the Lewis structure of O2 – Quora
• O2 Lewis Structure in 6 Steps (With Images) – Pediabay
• O2 Lewis Structure & Molecular Geometry – What’s Insight
• Lewis Dot of Oxygen O2 – Kent’s Chemistry
• O2 Lewis Structure, Molecular Geometry, and Hybridization – Techiescientist
• The Lewis Dot Structure for O2 – MakeTheBrainHappy
• How to Draw O2 Lewis Structure? – Science Education and Tutorials
• Lewis Structure of O2 – Reddit
• What is the Lewis structure for the oxygen molecule? – Socratic
• What is the correct Lewis structure for O2? – Chegg
• O2 Lewis structure – ShowMe
• Draw the Lewis structure of O2 – Bartleby