Br2 Lewis structure

Br₂ (bromine) has two bromine atoms.

In the Br₂ Lewis structure, there is a single bond between the two bromine atoms, and on each bromine atom, there are three lone pairs.

Alternative method: Lewis structure of Br₂

Rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, bromine lies in group 17. Hence, bromine has seven valence electrons.

Since Br₂ has two bromine atoms, so…

Valence electrons of two bromine atoms = 7 × 2 = 14

And the total valence electrons = 14

Learn how to find: Bromine valence electrons

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 14 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 = 14 ÷ 2 = 7

• Third, determine the central atom

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

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

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

Lone pair

Here, we have a total of 7 electron pairs. And one Br — Br bond is already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining six electron pairs as lone pairs on the sketch.

Also remember that bromine is a period 4 element, so it can 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 bromine.

So for each bromine, there are three lone pairs.

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 each bromine atom, formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

Here, both bromine atoms do not have charges, so no need to mark the charges.

Final structure

The final structure of Br₂ features two bromine atoms connected by a single covalent bond. In this arrangement, each bromine atom satisfies the octet rule by sharing one pair of electrons and retaining three lone pairs of its own. This configuration is the most stable because it results in a formal charge of zero for both atoms, representing the most energetically favorable state for the molecule. Accordingly, this specific electronic distribution serves as the definitive and most accurate Lewis representation of molecular bromine.

Next: H₂Se Lewis structure

External video

• Br2 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Lewis Dot Structure for Dibromine – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/Br2-lewis-structure.html
• https://www.chemistryscl.com/general/Br2-lewis-structure/
• https://techiescientist.com/br2-lewis-structure/
• https://lambdageeks.com/br2-lewis-structure/
• https://sciedutut.com/how-to-draw-br2-lewis-structure/