Final answer:
The Lewis structure of xanthine involves drawing the skeletal structure of the molecule, allocating bonding and lone pairs according to valence electrons ensuring that each carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) atom achieves an octet and oxygen (O) atoms have two bonding pairs and two lone pairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lewis structure of xanthine is a representation that shows both the bonding pairs and lone pairs of electrons. The Lewis structure resembles the generic formula for purine bases, with xanthine being one of the derivatives. Creating a Lewis structure involves counting the valence electrons for each atom, drawing the skeletal diagram of the molecule, and then placing the bonding (lines) and non-bonding (dots) electron pairs around the atoms such that each carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) atom achieves an octet (or duet for hydrogen, H).
To complete the Lewis structure of xanthine, start by drawing a skeletal structure, which shows the atom connectivity. Xanthine contains carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms. Generally, carbon atoms form the backbone of the organic molecule, while nitrogen and oxygen atoms will be connected in specific places according to the xanthine structure.
Once the skeleton is drawn, add single lines (bonds) to connect the atoms. After that, distribute the remaining valence electrons around the atoms as lone pairs (pairs of dots) or bonding electrons (represented as lines between atoms) making sure that the oxygen atoms have 2 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs, nitrogen has 3 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair, and carbon follows the octet rule (4 bonds) which can be a combination of single, double, or triple bonds.
Remember to check the completeness of the octets for the atoms, and if necessary, introduce double or triple bonds to ensure each atom has a full octet. Finally, remaining lone pairs that are not involved in bonding should be placed on the respective atoms.