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Problem: Write Lewis structures for (a) H 3PO4 (b) BFCl 2
Writing Lewis Structures for Octet Rule Exceptions
Plan: In (a), the central atom is P, from Period 3, so it can use d orbitals to have more than an octet.
In (b), the central atom is B, which can have fewer than an octet.
Solution: (a) For H 3PO 4 , two possible Lewis structures with formal charges are
Lower formal charge indicates resonance form II is more important.
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