Summary of
instructions
Instructions for
each step of the process
Drawing Lewis Dot Structures!
Name_____________________________ Period____
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Examine
the
chemical
formula of
the
molecule
Determine the
number of
valence electrons
for each atom,
and then add up
total number of
valence electrons
Arrange atoms as
evenly as
possible. If not
sure, put the least
electronegative
atom in the
middle. (CARBON
is always the
central atom.)
Place one bond
between the
central atom
and each outer
atom
Subtract
number of
bonding
electrons
from total
number of
electrons
determined in
step 2
Starting at
outer atoms,
evenly
distribute all
remaining
electrons in
pairs around
the outer
atoms
If any atoms
(except H) do NOT
obey the octet
rule, use double
or triple bonds so
ALL atoms are
“happy”
Clearly write final
Lewis Dot
Structure
Valence
electrons
Atomic
Arrangement
Determine
remaining
electrons
Fill in
remaining
electrons
Add double or
triple bonds if
necessary
Molecular
Formula
Cl2
CO2
CH4
Each bond = 2
electrons
Add bonds
Final Lewis
Dot Structure
Check
work!
Examine the
molecule and
ask:
1. Do all H
atoms have
only one bond
2. Do all other
atoms have 8
electrons
surrounding
them?
Summary
Molecular
Formula
H2O
PBr3
SF6
HCl
CF4
HCN
Valence
electrons
Atomic
Arrangement
Add bonds
Determine
remaining
electrons
Fill in
remaining
electrons
Add double or
triple bonds if
necessary
Final Lewis
Dot Structure