« previous next »

Author Question: How is -OH formed and what happens to the missing oxygen valence electron? (Read 554 times)

clippers!

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 828
on: Sep 20, 2013
Oxygen has 6 valence electrons, leaving 2 that are free to bind covalently with another atom.  Hydrogen has 1 valence electron.  The 1 hydrogen electron can combine with one of the 2 free oxygen electrons.

This now leaves 1 free oxygen electron.  But at this point, the octet rule is not fulfilled.  What happens to that missing spot for the 8th and final electron in oxygen's valence shell?  Doesn't it have to bind with something?
Paul, you are starting with the hydroxide ion already formed.  But I am asking how does it get formed in the first place by a pairing of O and H?


camila

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 705
Reply #1 on: Sep 20, 2013
The key here is that we are working with the hydroxide anion. Because of hydroxide's -1 charge, it bears an extra electron in its structure; it is this extra electron that pairs with the other free oxygen electron to occupy that final valence slot.


Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
« previous next »
 

Did you know?

The lipid bilayer is made of phospholipids. They are arranged in a double layer because one of their ends is attracted to water while the other is repelled by water.

Did you know?

Asthma occurs in one in 11 children and in one in 12 adults. African Americans and Latinos have a higher risk for developing asthma than other groups.

Did you know?

GI conditions that will keep you out of the U.S. armed services include ulcers, varices, fistulas, esophagitis, gastritis, congenital abnormalities, inflammatory bowel disease, enteritis, colitis, proctitis, duodenal diverticula, malabsorption syndromes, hepatitis, cirrhosis, cysts, abscesses, pancreatitis, polyps, certain hemorrhoids, splenomegaly, hernias, recent abdominal surgery, GI bypass or stomach stapling, and artificial GI openings.

Did you know?

Approximately one in four people diagnosed with diabetes will develop foot problems. Of these, about one-third will require lower extremity amputation.

Did you know?

According to animal studies, the typical American diet is damaging to the liver and may result in allergies, low energy, digestive problems, and a lack of ability to detoxify harmful substances.

Electron Microscope Images of a Diatom Electron Microscope Images of a Diatom
A schematic of the circulatory system illustrating the pulmonary circulation picking up oxygen from A schematic of the circulatory system illustrating the pulmonary circulation picking up oxygen from
The Atmosphere’s Oxygen Came from Photosynthetic Organisms The Atmosphere’s Oxygen Came from Photosynthetic Organisms
Oxygen dissociation curve Oxygen dissociation curve
Electron micrograph of the plasma membranes of two cells showing the glycocalyx. Electron micrograph of the plasma membranes of two cells showing the glycocalyx.
A typical zirconia oxygen sensor. A typical zirconia oxygen sensor.
Video: Insulin (glucose uptake by body cells), glycogenesis and lipogenesis

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library