Unshared electron pair
An unshared electron pair, also known as a nonbonding pair of electrons or as a lone pair
of electrons, is two electrons in the same orbital in the outer shell of an atom that are not
used in the formation of a covalent bond.
Ammonia (NH3) is an example of a molecule with one unshared electron pair.
It is necessary to examine the unshared electron pairs when determining the electron pair
geometry and subsequently the molecular shape of a covalent compound.
Molecular model of ammonia
An arrow points to the unshared
electron pair.
| Structural formula of ammonia - NH3
The unshared electron pair is represented by red dots.
|
Created and maintained by: Dr. Anna Cavinato anna.cavinato@eou.edu
and Dr. David Camp
All Material Copyright Eastern ChemWeb, Eastern Oregon University, 2003.
