How do you draw the Lewis structure of CO₂?

CO₂ has 16 valence electrons. Carbon is central, bonded to two oxygens. Initially single bonds use 4 electrons; 12 remain. Distribute remaining electrons to outer atoms first. Each O gets 3 lone pairs (6 e⁻ each), using 12. But single bonds leave C with only 4 electrons — octet not satisfied.

Lewis Structure of CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

What is the Lewis structure of CO₂?

CO₂ has 16 valence electrons, 4 bonding electron pairs, and 4 lone pairs. CO₂ has 16 valence electrons. Each C=O double bond uses 4 electrons (8 total in bonds). The remaining 8 electrons are lone pairs (2 on each oxygen). All atoms satisfy the octet rule with formal charges of zero.

Lewis structure of CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

Formula	CO₂
Name	Carbon Dioxide
Total Valence Electrons	16
Lone Pairs	4
Has Resonance	No
Concept	Multiple Bonds
Difficulty	Intermediate

Step 1: Count Valence Electrons

C has 4, each O (Group 6A) has 6: 4 + 2(6) = 16 total valence electrons.

Step 2: Draw the Skeleton

Carbon is central, bonded to two oxygens. Initially single bonds use 4 electrons; 12 remain.

Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs

Distribute remaining electrons to outer atoms first. Each O gets 3 lone pairs (6 e⁻ each), using 12. But single bonds leave C with only 4 electrons — octet not satisfied.

Step 4: Form Multiple Bonds

Convert one lone pair from each O into a bonding pair, forming two C=O double bonds. Now C has 8 electrons (2 double bonds) and each O has 8 (1 double bond + 2 lone pairs).

Step 5: Check Formal Charges

C: FC = 4 - 0 - ½(8) = 0
O: FC = 6 - 4 - ½(4) = 0

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