Q38 / 120 · VITEEE 2012 · Chemistry
Which of the following structures is the most preferred and hence of lowest energy for $\mathrm{SO}_{3}$ ?
- A

- B

- C

- Correct answerD

Solution
Formal charges help in selection of the lowest energy structure from a number of possible Lewis structures for a given species. Generally the lowest energy structure is the one with the smallest formal charges on the atoms.
Formal charge on an atom
$=$ total no. of valence electrons-non-bonding
electrons $-\frac{1}{2} \times$ bonding electrons.
For Lewis structure of $\mathrm{SO}_{3}$

Formal charge on $\mathrm{S}$ atom $$ =6-0-\frac{1}{2} \times 12=0 $$ Formal charge on three $\mathrm{O}$ atoms $$ =6-4-\frac{1}{2} \times 4=0 $$

Formal charge on $\mathrm{S}$ atom $$ =6-0-\frac{1}{2} \times 12=0 $$ Formal charge on three $\mathrm{O}$ atoms $$ =6-4-\frac{1}{2} \times 4=0 $$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.