Lewis Structure of OF₂ (Oxygen Difluoride)
What is the Lewis structure of OF₂?
OF₂ has 20 valence electrons, 2 bonding electron pairs, and 8 lone pairs. OF₂ has 20 valence electrons. Four are in two O-F single bonds, 4 form 2 lone pairs on oxygen, and 12 form 3 lone pairs on each fluorine. The molecule is bent, similar to water but with fluorine instead of hydrogen.
| Formula | OF₂ |
| Name | Oxygen Difluoride |
| Total Valence Electrons | 20 |
| Lone Pairs | 8 |
| Has Resonance | No |
| Concept | Lone Pairs |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
Step 1: Count Valence Electrons
O (Group 6A) has 6, each F has 7: 6 + 2(7) = 20 total.
Step 2: Draw the Skeleton
Oxygen is the central atom bonded to two fluorines. Two bonds use 4 electrons; 16 remain.
Step 3: Distribute Lone Pairs
16 electrons distributed as lone pairs: 3 on each F (12 electrons) and 2 on O (4 electrons). All atoms have octets.
Step 5: Check Formal Charges
- O: FC = 6 - 4 - ½(4) = 0
- F: FC = 7 - 6 - ½(2) = 0
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