Question

Lewis structure of HSO4-
how come there is 12electrons total bonding to S?? isn't that more than 8 electrons maximum?

Answer 1

most of the time, 8 is the limit. However, atoms like sulfur can access nearby 3d orbitals and create more bonds than the traditional 4. This "expanded octet" means some atoms can create up to 6 electron "domains".

Answer 2

umm, then how do i know which atoms can have more than 8 electrons?

Answer 3

atoms phosphorus and larger can expand their octets. anything smaller than phosphorus has to obey the octet rule

Answer 4

oh ok! thank you very much!