Question

Draw an acceptable lewis structure for the molecular ion (radical cation) formed from this molecule when it is bombarded by high-energy electrons in a mass spectrometer.

Answer 1

To draw a Lewis structure of a molecular ion (radical cation) formed by high-energy electron bombardment in a mass spectrometer, write the molecule's original Lewis structure, identify regions of electron density, remove an electron to form the cation, rearrange to maintain stability, and denote the charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

To draw an acceptable Lewis structure of the radical cation formed from a molecule in a mass spectrometer, you need to follow these steps:

1. Write the Lewis structure of the molecule or polyatomic ion, taking into account the total number of valence electrons that would be present in the neutral molecule.
2. Count the number of regions of electron density (lone pairs and bonds) around the central atom. Each single, double, or triple bond counts as one region of electron density.
3. Remove one electron to represent the formation of the radical cation after bombardment by high-energy electrons, creating an unpaired electron (radical).
4. Ensure the central atom adheres to the octet rule, if applicable, and rearrange electrons if necessary to accommodate the loss of an electron while maintaining stability.
5. Use brackets to denote the charge on the ion by placing the structure within the brackets and indicating the positive charge outside.

For example, the Lewis structure of PCl3 as a radical cation would involve three chlorine atoms bonded to a central phosphorus atom, with lone pairs on the chlorines and an unpaired electron on the phosphorus.

Remember that high-energy electron bombardment can lead to the loss of more than one electron, so it is important to know the specific conditions of the mass spectrometer process to determine the exact structure of the cation formed.

Answer 2

To draw an acceptable lewis structure we must first determine the number of valance elections of the molecule in the ground state, and then adjust the molecule to refect the molecular radial cation after one or more of the electrons have been removed from its outter most shell. The lewis structure should refect the best configuation with good resonance and stability.