Mg3N2 Lewis Structure: Drawings, Hybridization, Shape, Charges,Pairs

In this article we discuss about Mg₃N₂ Lewis Structure and all other facts like its hybridisation, valence electrons.

Mg₃N₂ , magnesium nitride is an yellow coloured powder at room temperature. It is a compound having magnesium and nitrogen.

How to draw Mg₃N₂ lewis structures?

The valence electrons existing in Magnesium is 2 and  that of nitrogen is 5. Here there are 3 Mg atoms and 2 nitrogen atoms. The 3 Mg atoms share their 2 valence electrons to the two nitrogen atoms present to  form an ionic compound. When the Mg shares its 2 electrons then it becomes positively charged Mg²⁺ ion.

The nitrogen accepts 3 electrons from 2 Mg atoms and becomes negatively charged, N^3-ion. So the positively charged Mg²⁺ and negatively charged N^3- attracts each other and forms an ionic bond. So the lewis structure of Mg3N2 can be drawn as

Mg₃N₂  shape

Mg₃N₂ formal charge

The formal charge of each atoms in the compound Mg₃N₂ ( Magnesium nitride ) can be found out through a simple equation.

Formal charge of an atom = No. of valence electrons – No. of lone pair of electrons – No. of bonds formed

Here the formal charge of each atoms in Mg₃N₂ can be found.

The formal charge of Mg = 2 – 0 -2

                                             = 0

The formal charge of Nitrogen = 5 -2 – 3

                                                        = 0

So the overall charge of Mg₃N₂ is found to be 0.

Mg₃N₂ octet rule

	K	L	M		N
Magnesium	2	8	2
Nitrogen	2	5

Here Nitrogen needs 3 more electrons to get its octet fulfilled. But Magnesium needs either 6 electrons to be  gained or loss 2 electrons to become its octet fulfilled.

Since it is  easy to loss 2 electrons Mg losses its 2 electrons to one nitrogen. When nitrogen gains 2 electrons from one Mg and another 1 electron from another Mg its octet gets fulfilled. So in Magnesium nitride Mg₃N₂ the octet of both the atoms obey the octet rule.

Mg₃N₂ lone pair of electron

The lone pair of electrons present in each atom in a molecule can be found out through the following equation.

No. of lone pair of electron present = (valence electrons of atom – No. of electron shared) / 2

Lone pair of electrons in Mg =( 2 – 2) /2

                                                   = 0

Lone pair of electrons present in N = (5-3)/2

                                                               = 1

So the lone pairs of electrons present in Mg is 0 and that of 2 nitrogen is 2.

Mg₃N₂ valence electrons

The whole number of valence electrons existing in Mg₃N₂ is the sum of valence electrons present in 3 Mg atoms and valence electrons present in 2 N atoms.

The total valence electrons in Mg₃N₂ = 3*2 + 5*2

                                                                   = 6 + 10

                                                                   = 16

So the whole number of valence electrons existing in Mg₃N₂ is 16.

Mg₃N₂ Hybridisation

Hybridisation is a concept that actually we apply among covalent bonded compounds. Since Mg₃N₂ is an ionic compound. So the concept of hybridisation doesn’t work here.

Mg₃N₂ Uses

Magnesium nitride powder is used for the synthesis of many nitride compounds with high wear resistance, hardness, thermal conductivity, anti  corrosion properties. Its high temperature resistant character makes it more useful in many fields. It is also used for ceramic material preparation and as special alloy blowing agent.

Mg₃N₂ is ionic or covalent?

Mg donates its 2 valence electrons and become Mg²⁺ . Nitrogen accepts 3 electrons from two Mg and become N^3-. The positive Mg²⁺ and negative N^3- ions  attracts each other to make the  ionic bond.

Also Read:

• Naoh lewis structure
• Br2 lewis structure
• Sro lewis structure
• Chch lewis structure
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• Io2 lewis structure
• So3 lewis structure
• Na2o lewis structure
• Cuo lewis structure
• Nh2oh lewis structure