If an atom of nitrogen binds with three hydrogen atoms to form a molecule of ammonia, how many lone pairs of electrons does nitrogen have?

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If an atom of nitrogen binds with three hydrogen atoms to form a molecule of ammonia, how many lone pairs of electrons does nitrogen have?

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Answer 1 · 2016-07-07T20:25:55

The nitrogen atom in ammonia has a formal lone pair of electrons.

Explanation:

There are 4 electron pairs around the nitrogen atom: $3 \times N - H$ $3xxN-H$ bonds, and one nitrogen-centred lone pair. The lone pair is stereochemically active (and hence $N H_{3}$ $NH_3$ is a trigonal pyramid, but tetrahedral with respect to its ELECTRONIC geometry), and we conceive that the lone pair can bind to $H^{+}$ $H^+$ or $C$ $C$ to form a quaternary nitrogen centre, i.e. an ammoniium salt.

$N H_{3} (a q) + H_{2} O (l) \to N H_{4}^{+} + H O^{-}$ $NH_3(aq) + H_2O(l) rarr NH_4^+ + HO^-$

Given 2 inner core electrons, and a half share of the 8 electrons that compose the $4 \times N - H$ $4xxN-H$ bonds, the nitrogen has 6 electrons associated with the atom rather than 7, and thus a representation as a formal cation, i.e. quaternized nitrogen.

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If an atom of nitrogen binds with three hydrogen atoms to form a molecule of ammonia, how many lone pairs of electrons does nitrogen have?

1 Answer

Explanation:

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