Hydrazoic acid Lewis Structure

Hydrazoic acid Lewis Structure: HN₃ Lewis Structure, bent Geometry, sp2 Hybridization & Polarity

Hydrazoic acid Key Facts

The Hydrazoic acid Lewis structure is N–N double bond and N–H single bond; the central N has 3 electron domains (1 lone pair), giving a trigonal planar electron-domain arrangement and a bent molecular geometry with a ≈119° bond angle. N is best described as sp2-hybridized, and Hydrazoic acid is polar because the bent shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Hydrazoic acid (HN₃)

Chemical Formula	HN₃
CAS Number	7782-79-8
Total Valence Electrons	16
Lewis Structure	N–N double bond and N–H single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry	trigonal planar
Molecular Geometry	bent
Hybridization Model	sp2 (central N)
Bond Angle	≈119°
Polarity	Polar molecule

PubChem (CID 24530) and NIST list Hydrazoic acid as HN ₃ with CAS 7782-79-8; molecular weight ≈ 43.029 g/mol. View CAS 7782-79-8 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Hydrazoic acid (CAS 7782-79-8)

As a hydride of N, Hydrazoic acid is typically a strong reducing agent, a potential fuel component, or a precursor in inorganic and organometallic synthesis. Many pnictogen/sulfur hydrides are toxic, foul-smelling and pyrophoric or flammable, and are handled with appropriate ventilation and inert-atmosphere technique.

Reducing Agent Electron-rich hydrides reduce metal centers and functional groups in synthesis.

Precursor / Feedstock Source of N in the preparation of derivatives and doped materials.

Handling Often toxic/flammable/pyrophoric; inert atmosphere and active ventilation required.

Procurement Note "Hydrazoic acid" is supplied in multiple commercial grades and package sizes. Specify purity, grade, moisture/impurity limits, package (cylinder, drum or bulk) and intended process, and use CAS 7782-79-8 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Hydrazoic acid Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. HN₃ contains 1 (H) + 3×5 (N); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 16 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is N. It is the least electronegative atom capable of forming multiple bonds and is surrounded by the more electronegative terminal atom(s); hydrogen, when present, always occupies a terminal position. Electronegativity considerations place the electron density toward the terminal atom(s).

Valence-electron count

Total valence electrons = 1 (H) + 3×5 (N) = 16 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place N at the center and connect each surrounding atom with a single bond, complete octets on the terminal atoms, and place any remaining electrons on the central atom. The resulting electron distribution is: N–N double bond and N–H single bond; one lone pair on N.

Counting bonding and nonbonding electrons around N therefore satisfies the octet/expanded-octet requirement for the drawn structure.

N=N N–H

N: 1 lone pair, 2 bonding domains

2 bonding domains + 1 lone pairs = 3 electron domains

Octet Rule: Why N Has Eight Electrons N forms 2 bond(s) and retains 2 nonbonding electron(s), reaching an octet. No expanded octet is required for this second-row (or octet-satisfying) central atom.

Step 3 - VSEPR Theory & Geometry

VSEPR theory states that the 3 electron domains around N arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an trigonal planar electron-domain geometry.

Because 1 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is bent; the N bond angle is set to ≈119° rather than the ideal value for the electron-domain geometry.

Repulsion hierarchy

A useful VSEPR approximation is: lone pair–lone pair repulsion > lone pair–bonding pair repulsion > bonding pair–bonding pair repulsion. With 1 lone pair(s) on N, the lone-pair domains occupy positions that minimize overall repulsion while pushing the bonding domains (and therefore the bonded atoms) closer together.

Hybridization & Formal Charge

In the conventional localized-bond model, N uses sp2 hybrid orbitals to form the 3 equivalent electron-domain directions (2 bonding + 1 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central N = V − N − ½B = 5 − 2 − ½×6 = 1. The nonzero formal charge is distributed by resonance / charge separation; the drawn structure is the lowest-energy contributor.

Modeling Note Modeling Note: sp2 is a compact model for the 3 electron-domain directions around N; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Hydrazoic acid Polar or Nonpolar?

Hydrazoic acid is polar. The bent shape prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles. The bond dipoles do not cancel, leaving a net molecular dipole, which strongly influences solvation behavior and intermolecular interactions.

Expert Quote — Structural Chemistry Perspective

The decisive structural fact is not simply that the individual bonds are polar; it is whether molecular symmetry allows their vector sum to vanish. In Hydrazoic acid the bent arrangement prevents cancellation, so a permanent dipole remains.

Interpretation consistent with standard VSEPR / molecular-geometry references.

This polarity profile underpins its behavior as a solvent, reactant or process intermediate; when sourcing, specify grade and container compatibility.

Structural Comparison Table

Species	Formula	Central Atom	Electron Domains	Molecular Geometry	Polarity
Hydrazoic acid	HN₃	N	3	bent	Polar
Ammonia	H₃N	N	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Ammonium	H₄N	N	4	tetrahedral	Nonpolar
Hydrazine	H₄N₂	N	4	trigonal pyramidal	Polar
Nitrogen	N₂	N	2	linear (diatomic)	Nonpolar
Nitric oxide	NO	N	3	linear (diatomic)	Polar

Practice question Starting from the 16 valence electrons of HN₃, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central N atom is sp2-hybridized with bent geometry. What happens to the bond angle if one terminal atom is replaced by a more electronegative substituent?

Looking for industrial bulk or specified-grade supplies of Hydrazoic acid (CAS 7782-79-8)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is HN₃ polar or nonpolar?

Hydrazoic acid is polar. Its bent geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Hydrazoic acid?

N–N double bond and N–H single bond; one lone pair on N. It uses all 16 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of 1 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Hydrazoic acid?

The N angle is about ≈119°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal trigonal planar value.

What is the hybridization of N in Hydrazoic acid?

The conventional model is sp2. Hydrazoic acid has 3 electron domains around the central N.

What is the CAS number of Hydrazoic acid?

The CAS number is 7782-79-8. PubChem (CID 24530) and NIST identify this with HN₃; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

PubChem CID 24530, Hydrazoic acid. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Hydrazoic acid. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Hydrazoic acid (CAS 7782-79-8).

Technical scope: Lewis structures, VSEPR and hybridization are model-based descriptions for chemical communication and structure prediction; actual molecular electronic structure is more accurately represented by molecular-orbital and quantum-chemical methods. Commercial grades vary substantially by supplier and intended use; CAS 7782-79-8 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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Hydrazoic acid Lewis Structure