N2 Lewis structure

N₂ (nitrogen) has two nitrogen atoms.

In the N₂ Lewis structure, there is a triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms, and on each nitrogen atom, there is one lone pair.

Alternative method: Lewis structure of N₂

Rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, nitrogen lies in group 15. Hence, nitrogen has five valence electrons.

Since N₂ has two nitrogen atoms, so…

Valence electrons of two nitrogen atoms = 5 × 2 = 10

So the total valence electrons = 10

Learn how to find: Nitrogen valence electrons

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 10 valence electrons. And when we divide this value by two, we get the value of total electron pairs.

Total electron pairs = total valence electrons ÷ 2

So the total electron pairs = 10 ÷ 2 = 5

• Third, determine the central atom

Here, there are only two atoms and both atoms are nitrogen, so we can assume any one as the central atom.

Let’s assume that the central atom is right nitrogen.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

Lone pair

Here, we have a total of 5 electron pairs. And one N — N bond is already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining four electron pairs as lone pairs on the sketch.

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

Always start to mark the lone pairs from outside atoms. Here, the outside atom is left nitrogen.

So for left nitrogen, there are three lone pairs, and for right nitrogen, there is one lone pair.

Mark the lone pairs on the sketch as follows:

Formal charge

Use the following formula to calculate the formal charges on atoms:

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

For left nitrogen atom, formal charge = 5 – 6 – ½ (2) = -2

For right nitrogen atom, formal charge = 5 – 2 – ½ (2) = +2

Here, both nitrogen atoms have charges, so mark them on the sketch as follows:

The above structure is not a stable Lewis structure because both nitrogen atoms have charges. Therefore, reduce the charges (as below) by converting lone pairs to bonds.

Convert a lone pair of the left nitrogen atom to make a new N — N bond with the right nitrogen atom as follows:

Since there are charges on both nitrogen atoms, again convert a lone pair of the left nitrogen atom to make a new N — N bond with the right nitrogen atom as follows:

Final structure

The final structure of N₂ involves two nitrogen atoms connected by a triple covalent bond. In this layout, each nitrogen atom satisfies the octet rule by sharing three pairs of electrons with the other, while also maintaining one lone pair of its own. This arrangement is the most stable because it results in formal charges of zero for both atoms, representing the most energetically favorable state for the molecule. The triple bond makes the molecule exceptionally stable and relatively inert under standard conditions. Accordingly, this specific electronic distribution serves as the definitive and most accurate Lewis representation of dinitrogen (nitrogen gas).

Next: O₂ Lewis structure

External video

• Lewis Dot Structure for N2 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/N2-Lewis-structure.html
• https://socratic.org/questions/what-is-the-lewis-structure-of-n2-1
• https://whatsinsight.org/n2-lewis-structure/
• https://techiescientist.com/n2-lewis-structure/
• https://lambdageeks.com/nitrogen-lewis-dot-structure/
• https://www.chemistryscl.com/general/N2-lewis-structure/