2007-05-21 09:42:10 · 8 answers · asked by Candice 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Nitrogen had a -3 charge but it can actually form more than 3 bonds.
2007-05-21 09:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Depends.
Form with what? And what do you mean by "covalent bond"?
In sodium amide, the [NH2]– ion has two N-H covalent bonds.
In ammonia, the NH3 molecule has three N-H covalent bonds.
In ammonium, the [NH4]+ ion has four N-H covalent bonds.
If you don't like H, we can make versions of those with N-C bonds instead: dimethylamide, trimethylamine, tetramethylammonium.
How are you counting bonds? Is it the number of orbital overlaps, the number of lines you draw in the Lewis structure, so that multiple bonds count multiple times? Or is it just the number of atoms you're connected to? Here's why I ask.
In dinitrogen, the NN triple bond means three covalent bonds (number of lines in the Lewis structure). Or maybe just one (N connected to one atom).
In nitrosonium, [NO]+ it's still three. Or one.
In nitric oxide, [NO], it's two and a half covalent bonds. Or one.
In [NO]–, it's just two covalent bonds. Or one.
In [NO2]+, there are two double bonds, so that's four. Or two.
In [NO2], the total bond order is three and a half (1.75 to each O). Or two.
In [NO2]–, the total bond order is three (1.5 to each O). Or two.
Don't get me started on metal nitrosyls, or anionic terminal nitrides bridged by two lithium atoms, or what the heck is actually going on in F3NO. Depending on what you really think the functional operating definition of "covalent bond" might be, the answer can be anywhere from one to five, and maybe even six if that lump of anomalous electron density in the centre of the nitrogenase FeMo cluster actually turns out to be an N atom. But no matter what your definition, there is certainly more than one correct answer.
2007-05-22 23:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Stephen McNeil 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
N has 5 valence electrons. It will "normally" form three covalent bonds, but it is not unusual to see structures with 4 bonds to nitrogen. Consider the ammonium ion, NH4+.
2007-05-21 16:47:56 · answer #3 · answered by mrfarabaugh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It makes 3 bonds when neutral. Sometimes it will have 4 bonds. When this happens it is positively charged and is called an ammonium ion.
2007-05-21 16:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by drochem 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
3, or 4 with a + charge.
2007-05-21 16:46:35 · answer #5 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Valence = 3 (co-valent bonds)
2007-05-21 16:54:55 · answer #6 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
covalent = no charge
3
2007-05-21 16:48:29 · answer #7 · answered by thatoneguy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
three ?
2007-05-21 16:45:23 · answer #8 · answered by martes 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋