BeH2 Lewis structure

BeH₂ (beryllium hydride) has one beryllium atom and two hydrogen atoms.

In the BeH₂ Lewis structure, there are two single bonds around the beryllium atom, with two hydrogen atoms attached to it, and none of the atoms has a lone pair.

Alternative method: Lewis structure of BeH₂

Rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

In the periodic table, beryllium lies in group 2, and hydrogen lies in group 1.

Hence, beryllium has two valence electrons and hydrogen has one valence electron.

Since BeH₂ has one beryllium atom and two hydrogen atoms, so…

Valence electrons of one beryllium atom = 2 × 1 = 2
Valence electrons of two hydrogen atoms = 1 × 2 = 2

And the total valence electrons = 2 + 2 = 4

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

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 4 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 = 4 ÷ 2 = 2

• 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.

Hence, here we have to assume that the central atom is beryllium.

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

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

Lone pair

Here, we have a total of 2 electron pairs. And two Be — H bonds are already marked. So we do not have to mark any electron pair as a lone pair on the sketch.

Final structure

The final structure of BeH₂ contains a central beryllium atom connected to two hydrogen atoms through single covalent bonds. In this configuration, the beryllium atom represents an exception to the octet rule, achieving stability with only four valence electrons across its two bonding pairs. Each hydrogen atom fulfills its stable duet state through the single shared bond. This arrangement is the most stable because it results in formal charges of zero for all atoms involved, representing the most energetically favorable state for the molecule. As a result, this specific electronic distribution serves as the definitive and most accurate Lewis representation of beryllium hydride.

Next: HNO Lewis structure

External video

• BeH2 Lewis Structure – How to Draw the Lewis Structure for BeH2 – YouTube • Wayne Breslyn

External links

• https://techiescientist.com/beh2-lewis-structure/
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/BeH2-lewis-structure.html
• https://geometryofmolecules.com/beh2-lewis-structure-hybridization-molecular-geometry-bond-angles/
• https://lambdageeks.com/beh2-lewis-structure/
• https://sciedutut.com/how-to-draw-beh2-lewis-structure/