How do you draw the Lewis structure of O₃?

O₃ has 18 valence electrons. The central oxygen bonds to two terminal oxygens. Two single bonds use 4 electrons; 14 remain. Distribute remaining electrons: 3 lone pairs on each terminal O, 1 on central O = 14 electrons used. But central O only has 6 electrons total — needs more.

Does O₃ have resonance structures?

Yes, O₃ has 2 resonance structures.

Lewis Structure of O₃ (Ozone)

What is the Lewis structure of O₃?

O₃ has 18 valence electrons, 3 bonding electron pairs, and 6 lone pairs. Ozone has 18 valence electrons and two equivalent resonance structures. In each, the central O has a +1 formal charge and one terminal O has -1. The real structure is a hybrid where both O–O bonds have a bond order of 1.5.

Lewis structure of O₃ (Ozone)

Formula	O₃
Name	Ozone
Total Valence Electrons	18
Lone Pairs	6
Has Resonance	Yes
Resonance Structures	2
Concept	Resonance
Difficulty	Intermediate

Step 1: Count Valence Electrons

Each O (Group 6A) has 6 valence electrons: 3 × 6 = 18 total.

Step 2: Draw the Skeleton

The central oxygen bonds to two terminal oxygens. Two single bonds use 4 electrons; 14 remain.

Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs

Distribute remaining electrons: 3 lone pairs on each terminal O, 1 on central O = 14 electrons used. But central O only has 6 electrons total — needs more.

Step 4: Form Multiple Bonds

Convert one lone pair from a terminal O into a π bond, forming one O=O double bond. The other remains single. This gives the central O an octet.

Step 5: Check Formal Charges

Central O: FC = 6 - 2 - ½(6) = +1
Terminal O (single bond): FC = 6 - 6 - ½(2) = -1
Terminal O (double bond): FC = 6 - 4 - ½(4) = 0
Two resonance structures exist by swapping which terminal O has the double bond.

Resonance Structures

O₃ has 2 resonance structures. The actual electronic structure is a hybrid of all resonance contributors.

Resonance structure 2

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