N2H2 Lewis structure

The information on this page is ✔ fact-checked.

N₂H₂ (diimide) has two nitrogen atoms and two hydrogen atoms.

In the N₂H₂ Lewis structure, there is a double bond between the two nitrogen atoms, and each nitrogen is attached with one hydrogen atom, and on each nitrogen atom, there is one lone pair.

Steps

To properly draw the N₂H₂ Lewis structure, follow these steps:

#1 Draw a rough sketch of the structure
#2 Next, indicate lone pairs on the atoms
#3 Indicate formal charges on the atoms, if necessary
#4 Minimize formal charges by converting lone pairs of the atoms
#5 Repeat step 4 if necessary, until all charges are minimized

Let’s break down each step in more detail.

#1 Draw a rough sketch of the structure

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, nitrogen lies in group 15, and hydrogen lies in group 1.

Hence, nitrogen has five valence electrons and hydrogen has one valence electron.

Since N₂H₂ has two nitrogen atoms and two hydrogen atoms, so…

Valence electrons of two nitrogen atoms = 5 × 2 = 10
Valence electrons of two hydrogen atoms = 1 × 2 = 2

And the total valence electrons = 10 + 2 = 12

Learn how to find: Nitrogen valence electrons and Hydrogen valence electrons

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 12 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 = 12 ÷ 2 = 6

• Third, determine the central atom

Here hydrogen can not be 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.

Now there are only two atoms remaining 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.

Therefore, place nitrogens in the center and hydrogens on either side.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

#2 Next, indicate lone pairs on the atoms

Here, we have a total of 6 electron pairs. And three bonds are already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining three 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. And hydrogen is a period 1 element, so it can not keep more than 2 electrons in its last shell.

Always start to mark the lone pairs from outside atoms. Here, the outside atoms are hydrogens and left nitrogen. But no need to mark on hydrogen, because each hydrogen has already two electrons.

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

Mark the lone pairs on the sketch as follows:

#3 Indicate formal charges on the atoms, if necessary

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 – 4 – ½ (4) = -1

For right nitrogen atom, formal charge = 5 – 2 – ½ (4) = +1

For each hydrogen atom, formal charge = 1 – 0 – ½ (2) = 0

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.

#4 Minimize formal charges by converting lone pairs of the atoms

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

In the above structure, you can see that the central atom (right nitrogen) forms an octet. The outside atom (left nitrogen) also forms an octet, and both hydrogens form a duet. Hence, the octet rule and duet rule are satisfied.

Also, the above structure is more stable than the previous structures. Therefore, this structure is the stable Lewis structure of N₂H₂.

Next: CH₃Cl Lewis structure

📝 Your feedback matters. Visit our contact page.

External links

• https://geometryofmolecules.com/n2h2-lewis-structure-molecular-geometry-hybridization-bond-angle-shape/
• https://techiescientist.com/n2h2-lewis-structure/
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/N2H2-lewis-structure.html
• https://lambdageeks.com/n2h2-lewis-structure/
• https://topblogtenz.com/n2h2-lewis-structure-molecular-geometry-hybridization-polarity/