JEE Main 2025 — Chemical Bonding And Molecular Structure Question with Solution

NO${}_2^{-}$ ion

Structure (Lewis Structure)

Nitrogen (N) has 2 non-bonding electrons. The total valence electrons of N is 5. Out of 5, 3 electrons are bonding electrons and 2 electrons are non-bonding electrons.

Double bonded oxygen has 4 non-bonding electrons. Oxygen valence electrons : 6

Out of 6, 2 are bonding electrons are 4 are non-bonding electrons.

Negatively charged oxygen has 6 non-bonding electrons. The negative charge is due to the extra electron present. So, the total number of non-bonded electrons present in NO${}_2^{-}$ ion based on Lewis theory is

$$2(ofN)+4(ofO)+6(of{O}^{-})$$

$$=2+4+6=12$$