How to Draw the Lewis Dot Structure for SeO3 2- (Selenite ion)

How to Draw the Lewis Dot Structure for SeO3 2-: Selenite ion
A step-by-step explanation of how to draw the SeO3 2- Lewis Dot Structure (Selenite ion).

For the SeO3 2- structure use the periodic table to find the total number of valence electrons for the SeO3 2- molecule. Once we know how many valence electrons there are in SeO3 2- we can distribute them around the central atom with the goal of filling the outer shells of each atom.

In the Lewis structure of SeO3 2- structure there are a total of 26 valence electrons. SeO3 2- is also called Selenite ion.

Note that SeO3 2- can have an Expanded Octet and have more than eight valence electrons. Because of this there may be several possible Lewis Structures. To arrive at the most favorable Lewis Structure we need to consider formal charges. See how to calculate formal charges: youtube.com/watch?v=vOFAPlq4y_k

----- Steps to Write Lewis Structure for compounds like SeO3 2- ------
1. Find the total valence electrons for the SeO3 2- molecule.
2. Put the least electronegative atom in the center. Note: Hydrogen (H) always goes outside.
3. Put two electrons between atoms to form a chemical bond.
4. Complete octets on outside atoms.
5. If central atom does not have an octet, move electrons from outer atoms to form double or triple bonds.

----- Lewis Resources -----
• Lewis Structures Made Simple: youtu.be/1ZlnzyHahvo
• More practice: youtu.be/DQclmBeIKTc
• Counting Valence Electrons: youtu.be/VBp7mKdcrDk
• Calculating Formal Charge: youtu.be/vOFAPlq4y_k
• Exceptions to the Octet Rule: youtu.be/Dkj-SMBLQzM

Lewis Structures, also called Electron Dot Structures, are important to learn because they help us understand how atoms and electrons are arranged in a molecule, such as Selenite ion. This can help us determine the molecular geometry, how the molecule might react with other molecules, and some of the physical properties of the molecule (like boiling point and surface tension).

Chemistry help at Breslyn.org

Note that SeO3 2- can have an Expanded Octet and have more than eight valence electrons. Because of this there may be several possible Lewis Structures. To arrive at the most favorable Lewis Structure we need to consider formal charges. See my video for help with formal charges: youtube.com/watch?v=vOFAPlq4y_k

Drawing/writing done in InkScape. Screen capture done with Camtasia Studio 4.0. Done on a Dell Dimension laptop computer with a Wacom digital tablet (Bamboo).