Nitrogen tribromide (NBr₃) features a nitrogen (N) atom with five valence electrons, bonded to three bromine (Br) atoms, each contributing seven valence electrons. The Lewis structure depicts three single N-Br bonds and a lone pair on nitrogen, totaling eight electrons around N. This results in a pyramidal molecular geometry with bond angles slightly less than 109.5° due to lone pair-bond pair repulsion. Each Br atom also has three lone pairs. NBr₃’s notable aspect is its high reactivity, influenced by the lone pair on nitrogen and the polar N-Br bonds (Br electronegativity: 2.96).
Hydrolysis can occur in water due to its instability. Let us describe the shape, hybridisation, angle and many more of the nbr3 lewis structure and its characteristics below.
How to draw nbr3 lewis structure?
An electron-dot diagram shows how atoms of molecules interact with potential electron-lone pairs. Let us look at the method for drawing the nbr3 lewis structure.
Determine the valence electron
Nbr3 molecule has an overall count of valence electrons is 26. Nbr3 lewis structure consists of nitrogen in group 15 of the periodic table, while bromine is in group 17. Therefore, although bromine has seven valence electrons, nitrogen has five.
Find out the central atom
The least electronegative atom must be positioned in the middle. Assume that the core atom is nitrogen since it has a lower electronegative value than bromine. Put bromines on either side and nitrogen in the centre.
Make a rough skeleton structure
In the skeleton of the Nbr3 molecule, nitrogen is present in the centre. For the development of a basic skeleton, 6 out of 26 electrons are needed. And three bromines atom is attached to the central atom through a single bond.
Complete the octet of each atom present in Nbr3
The outermost bromine atom should receive the 24 valence electron to satisfy its octet, and the remaining electron(26-24=2) should be assigned to the central atom. The completion of all atoms’ octets through simple skeleton construction and the arrangement of the remaining electrons.
Final lewis structure
The solid or single bond is represented by each electron pair (:) in the nbr3 Lewis dot structure. Therefore, the nbr3 lewis dot structure described above can also be illustrated in the picture below.
Nbr3 lewis structure formal charge
The stability of the structure can be determined with the use of a formal charge concept. Let us determine the formal charge of Nbr3 first.
The formal charge on the Nbr3 lewis structure is zero. Calculate formal charge using this formula, Formal charge = valence electrons – nonbonding electrons – ½ (bonding electrons).
- The formal charge on central atom Nitrogen(N) =5 – 2 – ½ (6) = 0
- The formal charge on three Bromine atoms (B)= 7 – 6 – ½ (2) = 0
- Total formal charge = 0.
Nbr3 valence electrons
The valence electrons surrounding an atomic nucleus’s outermost shell include the s and p outer shell. Let us find out the valence electron in Nbr3.
Nbr3 lewis structure has 26 valence electrons in total. The valence electron in the Nbr3 molecule is calculated below.
- Nitrogen atom valence electrons= 5 (belongs to group 15th)
- Each bromine atom contributes valence electrons= 7(7*3=21)(belongs to the halogen family)
- Total number of valence electrons in NBr3 lewis structure= 5 + 21 = 26.
Nbr3 lewis structure octet rule
The octet rule is the idea that bound atoms fulfil their eight outer electrons. Let us see whether nbr3 satisfied the octet rule or not.
The octet rule was satisfied by the Nbr3 Lewis structure. Because bromine is an element with a period of four, its outermost shell (Br=Ar[4s23d104p5]) has room for more than eight electrons. The outermost shell of the element nitrogen(N=1s22s22p3) from period two can hold up to eight electrons.
The bromine atom has seven total electrons, thus one more electron is required to complete its octet. Therefore share one electron with nitrogen. Similarly, bromine shares three electrons, and nitrogen needs three electrons to complete its octet.
Nbr3 lewis structure lone pairs
A lone pair is an atom’s valence electron pair that is not shared with another atom and does not participate in forming bonds. Let us find out how many lone pairs are in Nbr3.
Nbr3 molecule consists of one lone pair at nitrogen and three lone pairs on each bromine atom. Therefore, in the Lewis structure of Nbr3, there is just one lone pair on the central atom.
Nbr3 lewis structure resonance
Resonance structure frequently shows a system’s electron cloud delocalization. Let us look into the resonance structure of Nbr3.
Resonance is not present in the Nbr3 Lewis structure. It happens as a result of the Lewis structure of Nbr3 lacking electron delocalization.
Nbr3 lewis structure shape
The shape is defined as the equilibrium state of the molecule, where it has the lowest energy in the system. Let us look at the shape of the Nbr3 molecule.
The shape of the nbr3 lewis structure is trigonal pyramidal. Because of the presence of three bromine atoms and four corners with a lone pair of electrons. This would be further calculated by using the AX3E formula by VSEPR(Valence Shell Electrons Pair Repulsion) charts.
So according to the AX3E1 type molecule, the nbr3 has molecular geometry is trigonal pyramidal and the electron geometry is tetrahedral (Follows VSEPR). This can be shown below in the images.
Nbr3 lewis structure angle
The average angle between the orbitals around the main atom of a molecule that contains bonding electron pairs. Let us discuss the bond angle of Nbr3.
The angle of Nbr3 molecules is 109.5°. The nbr3 lewis structure has trigonal pyramidal geometry and ideally has a 109.5° angle. But experimentally it experienced less than 109.5° angle.
Nbr3 hybridisation
The steric number is used to calculate the hybridization of molecules. Let us observe how the Nbr3 Lewis structure has hybridised.
The hybridisation of the nbr3 lewis structure is sp3. The following formula is used to calculate hybridization; S.N = Number of bonded atoms to the central atom Nitrogen(N) + Number of unbonded electrons to the central atom(N).
- Number of bonded atoms to the central atom Nitrogen(N)= 3
- Number of unbonded electrons to the central atom(N) = 1
- S.N=[3+1]= 4, indicating the sp3 hybridization.
- The shape that maximises the separations between the valence-shell electron pairs is what determines the electron pair arrangement.
Is nbr3 a solid?
When all of the molecules in a substance are closely packed and have a regular form, the substance is said to be solid. Let us check whether Nbr3 is solid or not.
Nbr3 is solid with a volatile deep red colour. It is a manmade, exceedingly unstable non-metallic molecule.
Why Nbr3 is solid?
Nbr3 is an inorganic solid that is deep red in colour. The tightly packed arrangement of its molecules is what gives it its solid nature.
Is nbr3 soluble in water?
The state and quality of a molecule’s water solubility determine its solubility. Let us see whether nbr3 is soluble in water or not.
Nbr3 is slightly soluble in water. Because it is a highly unstable compound. They are consequently exceedingly unstable since they are unable to stay linked to the nitrogen atom.
Why Nbr3 is soluble in water?
Nbr3 lewis structure is soluble in water due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons. On the other hand, nitrogen is significantly smaller than the much larger halogens.
Is nbr3 molecular?
Molecules are chemically bound groups of two or more atoms that are called molecular. Let us find out whether nbr3 is molecular or not.
Nbr3 is a molecular compound. Because one atom dominates the top of the pyramid and three atoms dominate the base of the trigonal pyramid of the nbr3 molecules.
Why is Nbr3 molecular?
Nbr3 lewis structure is molecular because the nucleus of an atom is surrounded by electrons that are negatively charged. These electrons are positioned in shells with various enthalpies. The outer electron shell of an atom must be filled for it to be at its most stable.
Is nbr3 polar or nonpolar?
Molecules’ geometry and structural patterns govern their polarity and non-polarity. Let us examine the nature that Nbr3 contains.
Nbr3 is not nonpolar but rather polar molecules. Because their nucleus has a single electron pair that repels the electrons in nearby electron pairs. The bending of the lone pair in the Nbr3 molecule has an asymmetric shape, which makes it polar. The image below depicts polar nature.
Why nbr3 is polar?
The Polarity or the division of electric charge causes a molecule to form an electric dipole moment. The polarity of each link will now be examined.
Nbr3 is a polar molecule made up of a nitrogen atom linked to three bromine atoms. Two factors that affect the polarity of the nbr3 molecule are electronegativity difference and molecular geometry.
How nbr3 is polar?
Depending on the difference in electronegativity values between the two atoms, the chemical bonds may be nonpolar, or polar. Let us clarify the reason.
- The Nbr3 molecule is polar as a result of electronegativity difference.
- The electronegativity difference for the N-Br bond is 3.04 – 2.96 = 0.08 which is less than 0.4.
- This value Indicates that the bond between N and Br is nonpolar.
- But on the other hand, the nitrogen atom has one lone pair. The nitrogen atom’s lone pair causes its molecular shape to become asymmetric.
- As a result, the entire Nbr3 molecule has positive and negative poles of charge. And the result of a polar molecule.
Is nbr3 an acid or base?
Lewis bases and bases can give a single pair of electrons. For a better understanding, let us look at Nbr3.
Nbr3 lewis structure is base rather than acid. Because lewis bases must be able to donate their single electron or give away electrons. Down the group, basic strength grows.
Why Nbr3 is basic?
Bases take H+/give OH- and transfer electrons, whereas acids supply H+ while accepting electron pairs. Let us get into more detail about this.
Nbr3 is not acidic but rather a basic molecule. The basic nature is due to the strong relationship between the single pair and the number of free atoms. Among the electrons available to donate to nitrogen atoms are two lone pairs.
Is nbr3 an electrolyte?
Almost all of an electrolyte’s ionisation occurs when it is dissolved in water. Let us determine whether or not Nbr3 is an electrolyte.
Nbr3 should be an electrolyte because of the low polarity of the N-X bond.
Why Nbr3 is an electrolyte?
Nbr3 must be an electrolyte because of its unstable nature. Nbr3 is unstable because of the size difference between the halogen and nitrogen atoms
What Are the Lewis Structures and Characteristics of HBrO and NBr3?
The hbro lewis structure characteristics reveal that it consists of a central bromine atom bonded to oxygen and hydrogen. It is a polar molecule due to the presence of a lone pair on the oxygen atom. On the other hand, NBr3 has a trigonal pyramidal structure where a central nitrogen atom is bonded to three bromine atoms. This molecule is also polar due to the unequal distribution of charge.
Is nbr3 a salt?
Salt is created when a strong acid and base combine. Let us look a little more into the nbr3 lewis structure.
Nbr3 is not a salt but rather a covalent molecule. The definition of salt calls for complete ion dissociation. However, there is hardly any variation in the electronegativity of the atoms in Nbr3.
Why nbr3 is not salt?
Nbr3 is not a salt, due to the absence of ion generation or charge separation. A molecule cannot be salt unless it contains both positive and negative ions.
Is nbr3 ionic or covalent?
As ions interact electrostatically, they form ions, and as electrons share, they form molecules. Let us look more at whether nbr3 is ionic or covalent.
Nbr3 must be a covalent molecule. Because nitrogen and bromine are unable to form an ionic bond. Since both atoms need to acquire electrons and are nonmetal compounds. It is formed by two non-metals (Nitrogen and Bromine) by sharing electrons.
Why nbr3 is covalent?
Covalent bonds are created when two atoms share electrons. Let us examine the idea that nbr3 is covalent.
Nbr3 must be covalent due to the presence of two nonmetal atoms. Because both N and Br would produce negatively charged ions, there are three bonds. Which, instead of creating an electric force of attraction, would repel one another. As a result, a trigonal-pyramidal shape would have been formed.
Conclusion
Nbr3 is an inorganic nonmetal compound. Nitrogen tribromide has a mildly polar structure similar to carbon monoxide. This nbr3 Lewis structure has one lone pair and three bound pairs and is tetrahedral and trigonal pyramidal geometry.
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Hi….I am Monika. I have done Masters in Chemistry. I am a Subject Matter Expert in Chemistry. I would say that I am a very passionate writer. The main goal of my writing is to present new perspectives. I want to discover new things that I can apply to my surroundings.
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