N2H2 Lewis Structure & Characteristics (13 Helpful Facts)

N₂H₂ is also referred to as diimide or diazene. Important chemical used in many organic reactions as reagent. Let us discuss some important facts about it.

The structure of N₂H₂ consists of 2 atoms each of nitrogen and oxygen. The structure exists in two isomeric (geometric) form (E and Z). In appearance it is a yellow colored gas. It plays an important role in organic reactions by selective reduction of alkenes/alkynes.

The observed melting point for N₂H₂ is around -80°C. Its observed molar mass is 30 g/mol. In the following sections of the article we are going to understand some important facts of diimide like lewis structure, shape, hybridization, etc. in detail.

How to draw N₂H₂ lewis structure?

We can understand bonding process in diimide better with lewis structure concept. Let us understand the drawing process of lewis structure for N₂H₂ in detail.

1. Finding out the total number of valence electrons in the structure

The total number of valence electrons in diimide is 12. Number of electrons contributed by N is 5 and there are 2 atoms of N. Hence 5×2=10 electrons by nitrogen. And contribution by H is 1 each by the 2 atoms. Therefore 1×2=2 electrons by hydrogen.

2. Deciding the least electronegative atom

An important step where the atom with least electronegativity is found out. So the atom having least electronegativity will be placed at the centre while drawing the structure. And other atoms will bond with it by sharing pairs of electrons. The atom here that has to be placed in the centre is Nitrogen.

3. Placing electrons appropriately between atoms

In this structure two types of bonds are observed, one is H-N formed by sharing of one pair of electrons between hydrogen and Nitrogen. Resulting is a single bond. The other bond is N-N bond where two electron pairs are shared between the two nitrogen. Resulting bond is a double bond.

N₂H₂ lewis structure shape

The type of arrangement of atoms in the structure plays a key role in shape of the structure. Let us discuss the shape of N₂H₂.

The lewis structure shape of N₂H₂ is trigonal planar. In pictorial representation it can be observed that the molecule seems to be symmetrical. Hence either of the nitrogen atom can be considered as the central atom (A). We can see there is one hydrogen attached with a single bond on one side(X).

One other side of double bond there is one nitrogen bonded with hydrogen atom which can be considered as one part(X). The number of lone pairs on central atom is one (E). So this arrangement is of the type AX₂E. Where A is the central atom, X is number of attached atoms and E number of lone pairs.

N₂H₂ lewis structure formal charge

Formal charge is the type of charge on atom, which helps in prediction of energy(lower). Let us find out for N₂H₂ .

The formal charge on N₂H₂ lewis structure is zero. The calculation of formal charge for diimide is discussed below.

The equation for the calculation of formal charge is

• Formal charge = valence electrons –  lone pair of electrons – No. of bonds
• Formal charge on nitrogen atom = 5- 2 – 6/2 = 0
• Formal charge on hydrogen atom = 1 – 0 – 2/2 = 0

Hence the formal charge on N₂H₂ according to above calculation is 0.

N₂H₂ lewis structure angle

The shape of the structure helps in predicting the bond angle. Let us find out the bond angle in diimide.

The N₂H₂ lewis structure angle is 120°. The reason for this is the geometry is of the type AX₂E (trigonal planar) having 1 lone pair of electrons, so there will be repulsion.  This makes the structure into a bent form where the angle of bonds comes down to 120°.

N₂H₂ lewis structure octet rule

According to this term every atoms prefers to have 8 electrons in its outer shell. Let us find out if N₂H₂ lewis structure follows octet rule or not.

N₂H₂ lewis structure obeys octet rule. The central atom nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, so it needs 3 more to complete its octet. One electron is acquired from N-H bond and 2 electrons obtained by forming double bond with another nitrogen.

N₂H₂ lewis structure lone pairs

Lone pairs are the pairs of electrons which do not form covalent bond or we can say do not participate in process of bonding. Let us see for N₂H_{2 .}

There are 2 lone pairs of electrons on N₂H₂ lewis structure. One each lone pair located on each of the two nitrogen atoms in the structure. Lone pairs of electrons play a key role in molecular geometry. They are repulsive in nature, so electrons try to be apart.

N₂H₂ valence electrons

The total number of electrons which are capable of forming bonds in the outer shell of atoms are referred as valence electrons. Let us study for N₂H_{2 .}

Total valence electrons in N₂H₂ is 12. Nitrogen atoms has 5 electrons in its outer shell and there are 2 nitrogen atoms. Hence contribution of nitrogen valence electrons is 10. Hydrogen has one electron in its outer shell, 1×2 = 2 as there are 2 atoms of hydrogen in the structure.

N₂H₂ hybridization

Hybridization involves mixing up of atomic orbitals in order to give orbitals of new shape, energy, etc. Let us analyze for N₂H_{2 .}

The hybridization of central atom nitrogen is sp². By calculating the steric number we can easily predict the hybridization, the formula for steric number calculation is given below.

• Steric number = number of atoms bonding to the central atom + number of lone pair electrons (on the central atom).
• Steric number = 2 + 1 = 3

Hence the steric number 3 is observed to give sp² type of hybridization.

N₂H₂ solubility

Solubility can be described as the capability of a substance to dissolve itself in given solvent. Let us check the solubility for N₂H_{2 .}

List of compounds in which N₂H₂ is soluble:

• Water
• Acids
• Halogens
• Propanol
• Hydrogen Peroxide

N₂H₂ is soluble in water because it has been observed that hydrides of nitrogen show high solubility in water due to hydrogen bonding.

Is N₂H₂ solid or liquid ?

Let us have a look at physical state of N₂H₂ , whether it is Solid, liquid or gas.

N₂H₂ is neither solid nor liquid but it is a gas. It is obtained from the oxidation process of hydrazine along with peroxide of hydrogen. Due to its high instability it is obtained in gas form and utilized in-situ.

Is N₂H₂ polar or nonpolar ?

A polar  substance will have at least some amount of charge separation where as it is reverse of this for nonpolar substance. There will be no charge separation.

N₂H₂ is a polar molecule. The electronegativity value of nitrogen atom is 3 and the electronegativity value for hydrogen atom is 2.2. So when we subtract the two values we will observe there is considerable amount of difference. Hence it will have dipole moment.

Is N₂H₂ acidic or basic?

An acidic type of molecule will give away hydrogen where as if a molecule increases OH concentration in a given solution then its base. Let us check for N₂H_{2 .}

N₂H₂ is an acidic molecule. It has the capability to give hydrogen or increase the concentration of protons when dissolved in a solution (water). The more electronegative atom with lone pairs of electrons adds on to the acidic character. So lone pairs of N contribute to the acidic character.

Is N₂H₂  electrolyte ?

A compound having the capability to break as ion and are able to conduct electricity are referred to as electrolytes. Let us analyze for N₂H_{2 .}

N₂H₂ is an electrolyte. The reason is when this compound is dissolved in solutions of aqueous medium they have capability to dissociate into Ions. This ions in turn are observed to conduct electricity.

Is N₂H₂ ionic or covalent?

The bonding in covalent compounds is due to sharing of electrons and in ionic it is due to charges formed between metal and a non-metal. Let us check for N₂H_{2 .}

N₂H₂ is covalent. The bond formed in this molecule is as a result of sharing electron pairs between the atoms. Also the bond formation occurs between two non metals, confirming that the bond is covalent type.

Conclusion

N₂H₂ is one of the hydride of nitrogen which exists in gas form. The type of bonding observed in this molecule is covalent and is acidic in nature.

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