How is electron-dot structure of a molecule drawn ? Explain giving example.

Explanation

i. The electronic configuration of carbon is (2, 4). It has four electrons in its valence shell.
ii. It could form `C^(4+)` cation to attain the stable duplet configuration of noble gas helium (He) by losing one after another all th efour valence electrons. Valence electrons can be represented as dots or corsses.
ii. Now, show a covalent bond between atoms by overlapping the circles. Shared electrons are shown in the overlapping region of the two circles.
iii. Electron - dot structure can also be drawn without showing circles.
E.g. Electron-dot dtructure of `H_(2)` molecules with circles :

Electron-dot structure of `H_(2)` molecules without circles :
`H:H`