Definitions
Example
Find Total Valence Electrons
Draw Preliminary Diagrams
Determine Formal Charges
In this step, you must find the Formal Charges for all elements for all diagrams (yes, it’s tedious. Suck it up.)
Determine Best Structure
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/4/26946724/8067263.png?286)
Since the final charge on each of the diagrams is the same (-1), therefore, find the lowest charge on the most E.N element. In this case, the most E.N. element is Oxygen.
Since Diagram 2 has the lowest charge on its most E.N. atom of -1,
Therefore, it's the best structure
Since Diagram 2 has the lowest charge on its most E.N. atom of -1,
Therefore, it's the best structure
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
formal_charges.pdf |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
formal_charges.docx |