Talk:Lone pair
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[edit] Lone pairs vs. valence electrons
What's the difference between the two terms? --pie4all88 08:08, 24 October 2006 (UTC)
- Valence electrons are the electrons that can participate in a reaction on an atom, in general those in the outer sphere. So a nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons, when you construct ammonia from that atom, then three of those valence atoms are paired with three valence electrons on the hydrogen atoms (one on each hydrogen atom) giving a covalent bond. The other two valence electrons on the nitrogen are not reacted, these form a lone pair. If you now would combine a molecule of borane (BH3) or a H+ to this ammonia, that electron pair (that lone pair) is donated to the borane respectively hydrogen cation, forming a dative covalent bond. Hence, lone pairs are valence electrons, but valence electrons are only lone pairs, if they reside on an atom (and form a pair), but not used in a bond. I hope this clarifies. --Dirk Beetstra T C 08:50, 24 October 2006 (UTC)
- Ah yes, thank you very much, Beetstra. I'll try to update the article accordingly. Thanks! --pie4all88 09:11, 24 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Merge proposal
- please consider merging Unshared pair (electrons) into lone pair. Identical concepts different wording thanks V8rik 22:07, 8 March 2007 (UTC)
