Sulfur Trioxide - Structure and Bonding

Structure and Bonding

Gaseous SO3 is a trigonal planar molecule of D3h symmetry, as predicted by VSEPR theory. SO3 belongs to the D3h point group.

In terms of electron-counting formalism, the sulfur atom has an oxidation state of +6 and a formal charge of +2 (note that in the optimum Lewis structure, two sulfur-oxygen bonds are dative bonds as quantum chemical calculations have shown that d-orbitals are not involved in bonding). Therefore, 3 double bonds shown in the top diagram are misleading. One double and two single (dative) bonds should be shown, resulting in 3 resonance structures. In any case, Sulfur trioxide is a non-polar molecule.

Read more about this topic:  Sulfur Trioxide

Famous quotes containing the words structure and/or bonding:

    “Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations.”
    —Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt (1767–1835)

    “At the heart of male bonding is this experience of boys in early puberty: they know they must break free from their mothers and the civilized world of women, but they are not ready yet for the world of men, so they are only at home with other boys, equally outcast, equally frightened, and equally involved in posturing what they believe to be manhood.”
    —Frank Pittman (20th century)