I3- Lewis structure

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I₃^– (triiodide) has three iodine atoms.

In the I₃^– Lewis structure, there are two single bonds around the iodine atom, with two other iodine atoms attached to it, and on each iodine atom, there are three lone pairs.

Also, there is a negative (-1) charge on the center iodine atom.

Steps

Use these steps to correctly draw the I₃^– Lewis structure:

#1 First draw a rough sketch
#2 Mark lone pairs on the atoms
#3 Calculate and mark formal charges on the atoms, if required

Let’s discuss each step in more detail.

#1 First draw a rough sketch

• First, determine the total number of valence electrons

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

Since I₃^– has three iodine atoms, so…

Valence electrons of three iodine atoms = 7 × 3 = 21

Now the I₃^– has a negative (-1) charge, so we have to add one more electron.

So the total valence electrons = 21 + 1 = 22

• Second, find the total electron pairs

We have a total of 22 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 = 22 ÷ 2 = 11

• Third, determine the central atom

Here, there are three atoms and all atoms are iodine, so we can assume any one as the central atom.

Let’s assume that the central atom is center iodine.

• And finally, draw the rough sketch

#2 Mark lone pairs on the atoms

Here, we have a total of 11 electron pairs. And two I — I bonds are already marked. So we have to only mark the remaining nine electron pairs as lone pairs on the sketch.

Also remember that iodine is a period 5 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 atoms are left iodine and right iodine.

So for each iodine, there are three lone pairs.

Mark the lone pairs on the sketch as follows:

#3 Calculate and mark formal charges on the atoms, if required

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

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

For left iodine and right iodine atom, formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0

For center iodine atom, formal charge = 7 – 6 – ½ (4) = -1

Here, the center iodine atom has a charge, so mark it on the sketch as follows:

In the above structure, you can see that the central atom (center iodine) forms an octet. And the outside atoms (left iodine and right iodine) also form an octet. Hence, the octet rule is satisfied.

Now there is still a negative (-1) charge on the center iodine atom.

This is okay, because the structure with a negative charge on the most electronegative atom is the best Lewis structure. And in this case, the most electronegative element is iodine.

Therefore, this structure is the most stable Lewis structure of I₃^–.

And since the I₃^– has a negative (-1) charge, mention that charge on the Lewis structure by drawing brackets as follows:

Next: CN^– Lewis structure

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External links

• https://geometryofmolecules.com/i3-lewis-structure-shape-hybridization-polarity/
• https://www.chemistryscl.com/general/triiodide-I3–lewis-structure/index.php
• https://techiescientist.com/i3-lewis-structure/
• https://lambdageeks.com/i3-lewis-structure/
• https://www.thegeoexchange.org/chemistry/bonding/Lewis-Structures/I3-minus-lewis-structure.html