Drawing the Lewis Structure for NH2-

Viewing Notes:

  • The Lewis structure for NH2- you have a total of 8 valence electrons
  • Be sure to put brackets, along with a negative sign, around the NH2- Lewis structure when you are done to show that it is an ion with a negative charge.
  • NH2- isn't usually found by itself. However, it's quite common to find it in organic compounds. In this case it's called the amine functional group (NH2).


Transcript: This is the NH2- Lewis structure. We have five valence electrons for nitrogen. Plus one for hydrogen, but we have two hydrogens then we need to add this extra valence electron in for a total of eight valence electrons for the NH2- Lewis structure. We put nitrogen in the center and the hydrogens always go on the outside. We have eight valcence electrons so we'll put 2 between atoms to form chemical bonds. We've used four. And then complete the octet on nitrogen. Six, and eight. At this point to the hydrogens have 2 valence electrons so their outer shell is full and nitrogen needs an octet. It has eight valence electrons so its octet is full. So this is the Lewis structure for NH2-. One last thing: it is an ion so we do need to put brackets around it, and a negative sign.

And that's it: that's the NH2- Lewis structure. This is Dr. B, and thanks for watching.