Question

Which is the best description of the bonding in NO3-?

no N-O σ bonds and delocalized N-O π molecular orbitals extending over all four atoms

3 N-O σ bonds and no N-O π bonds

3 N-O σ bonds and delocalized N-O π molecular orbitals extending over all four atoms

3 N-O σ bonds and 3 N-O π bonds

Answer 1

I think it is the third one..but I don't understand the whole delocalized thing

Answer 2

easiest way to do this is by drawing a structure

Answer 3

it is the 3rd option. delocalization can be shown with arrow pushing

Answer 4

@aaronq more than one way to draw this out though

Answer 5

but they are all the same so never mind lol.

Answer 6

well they're equivalent structures because the electrons are delocalized (can move back and forth) between the orbitals