According to octet rule, SO₃ contains_______ dative bonds

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

The octet rule is a fundamental concept in chemistry that helps us understand how atoms bond with each other to achieve a stable electronic configuration. In the case of sulfur trioxide (SO₃), we need to analyze its structure to determine the number of dative bonds present.

Understanding SO₃ Structure

Sulfur trioxide consists of one sulfur atom and three oxygen atoms. To visualize the bonding, we can draw the Lewis structure of SO₃. Sulfur, being in group 16 of the periodic table, has six valence electrons. Each oxygen atom also has six valence electrons. When sulfur bonds with three oxygen atoms, it forms a total of three double bonds.

Counting Bonds

In the Lewis structure of SO₃, sulfur shares its electrons with the oxygen atoms. Each double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond. However, to determine the number of dative bonds, we need to consider how these bonds are formed:

• A dative bond, or coordinate bond, occurs when one atom provides both electrons for a shared pair.
• In SO₃, the sulfur atom can expand its octet due to its ability to utilize d orbitals, allowing it to form more bonds than the typical octet.

Identifying Dative Bonds

In the case of SO₃, the sulfur atom does not actually form any dative bonds. Instead, it forms three double bonds with the oxygen atoms, where each atom contributes one electron to the bond. Therefore, the correct answer to the question regarding the number of dative bonds in SO₃ is:

The Answer

A. 1

However, it’s important to note that while SO₃ does not contain dative bonds, it can be represented in resonance forms, which can sometimes lead to confusion regarding the nature of its bonding. In summary, SO₃ has no dative bonds, as all bonds are formed through the sharing of electrons between sulfur and oxygen.