Step 1: Find valence e- for all atoms. Add them together.
N:5
F:7x3=21
Total=26
Step2: Find octet e- for each atom and add them together.
C:8
F:8x3=24
Total=32
Step3: Gives you bonding e-. Subtract step 1 total from step 2
32-26=6e-
Step 4: Find number of bonds by diving the number in step 3 by 2(because each bond is made of 2 e-)
6e-/2= 3 bond pairs
Step 5: Find the number of nonbonding (lone pairs) e-. Subtract step 3 number from step 1.
26-6= 20e-=10 lone pairs
Use information from step 4 and 5 to draw the lewis structure.
Lewis dot structure of NF3
Alternatively a dot method can be used to draw the lewis structure.
Calculate the total valence electrons in the molecule.
N:5
F:7x3=21
Total=26
Put nitrogen in center and arrange fluorine atoms on the sides.Arrange electrons until both nitrogen and fluorine get 8 electrons.
