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Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis Structure

Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis structure (C8H5KO4). C–C double bond, C–C single bond and C–H single bond. It shows a trigonal planar shape, sp2 hybridization on C, 120° bond angles. Includes a comparison table and FAQs. Abigail3 MIN READSeptember 30, 2026

Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis Structure: C8H5KO4 Lewis Structure, trigonal planar Geometry, sp2 Hybridization & Polarity

Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis structure Cover

Potassium hydrogen phthalate Key Facts

The Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis structure is C–C double bond, C–C single bond and C–H single bond; the central C has 3 electron domains (0 lone pairs), giving a trigonal planar electron-domain arrangement and a trigonal planar molecular geometry with a 120° bond angle. C is best described as sp2-hybridized, and Potassium hydrogen phthalate is polar because the trigonal planar shape (and/or unequal terminal atoms) prevents cancellation of the bond dipoles.

Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis Structure Figure 1: Lewis Structure of Potassium hydrogen phthalate (C8H5KO4)
Chemical Formula C8H5KO4
CAS Number 877-24-7
Total Valence Electrons 62
Lewis Structure C–C double bond, C–C single bond and C–H single bond
Electron-Domain Geometry trigonal planar
Molecular Geometry trigonal planar
Hybridization Model sp2 (central C)
Bond Angle 120°
Polarity Polar molecule
PubChem (CID 23676735) and NIST list Potassium hydrogen phthalate as C 8H 5KO 4 with CAS 877-24-7; molecular weight ≈ 204.22 g/mol. View CAS 877-24-7 dictionary details on Guidechem →

Applications of Potassium hydrogen phthalate (CAS 877-24-7)

Carboxylic acids and esters are flavors, fragrances, polymers (PET, polyesters, alkyds) and solvents/intermediates; acetate and phthalate esters are plasticizers, and acids are precursors to salts, amides and anhydrides.

Polymers & Resins PET, polyesters and alkyd coatings from acid/ester chemistry.
Solvents & Plasticizers Esters as solvents; phthalates/acetates as flexibilizers.
Flavor & Fine Chem Esters in flavors/fragrances and active-ingredient synthesis.
Procurement Note "Potassium hydrogen phthalate" 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 877-24-7 as the primary identifier when screening suppliers; always confirm regional availability and safety documentation (SDS).

Step 1 - Valence Electrons & Central Atom

To draw the Potassium hydrogen phthalate Lewis structure we first count the total valence electrons. C8H5KO4 contains 8×4 (C) + 5×1 (H) + 1 (K) + 4×6 (O); the net charge of 0 gives a total of 62 valence electrons to place.

The central atom is C. 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 = 8×4 (C) + 5×1 (H) + 1 (K) + 4×6 (O) = 62 electrons.

Step 2 - Lewis Structure & Electron Distribution

Place C 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: C–C double bond, C–C single bond and C–H single bond; no lone pairs on C.

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

This species is best represented by resonance structures; the π bonding is delocalized over the equivalent terminal atom(s), so all C–terminals bonds are equivalent in the resonance hybrid.

C=C C–C C–H
C: 0 lone pairs, 3 bonding domains
3 bonding domains + 0 lone pairs = 3 electron domains
Octet Rule: Why C Has Eight Electrons C forms 3 bond(s) and retains 0 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 C arrange to minimize mutual repulsion, giving an trigonal planar electron-domain geometry.

Because 0 of these domains are lone pair(s) — and lone pairs repel more strongly than bonding pairs — the observed molecular geometry is trigonal planar; the C bond angle is set to 120° 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 0 lone pair(s) on C, 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, C uses sp2 hybrid orbitals to form the 3 equivalent electron-domain directions (3 bonding + 0 lone pair).

Formal-charge check

Formal charge on central C = V − N − ½B = 4 − 0 − ½×8 = 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 C; full quantum-chemical treatments use molecular orbitals.

Is Potassium hydrogen phthalate Polar or Nonpolar?

Potassium hydrogen phthalate is polar. The trigonal planar 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 Potassium hydrogen phthalate the trigonal planar 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
Potassium hydrogen phthalate C8H5KO4 C 3 trigonal planar Polar
Carbon dioxide CO2 C 2 linear Nonpolar
Carbon monoxide CO C 2 linear (diatomic) Polar
Carbon disulfide CS2 C 2 linear Nonpolar
Methane CH4 C 4 tetrahedral Nonpolar
Ethane C2H6 C 4 tetrahedral Nonpolar
Practice question Starting from the 62 valence electrons of C8H5KO4, draw the Lewis structure and confirm the central C atom is sp2-hybridized with trigonal planar 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 Potassium hydrogen phthalate (CAS 877-24-7)? Browse Supplier on Guidechem →

FAQs

Is C8H5KO4 polar or nonpolar?

Potassium hydrogen phthalate is polar. Its trigonal planar geometry (and/or unequal terminal atoms) stops the bond dipoles from cancelling.

What is the Lewis structure of Potassium hydrogen phthalate?

C–C double bond, C–C single bond and C–H single bond; no lone pairs on C. It uses all 62 valence electrons and the preferred structure carries a formal charge of 1 on the central atom.

What is the bond angle in Potassium hydrogen phthalate?

The C angle is about 120°. Lone-pair repulsion compresses the angle from the ideal trigonal planar value.

What is the hybridization of C in Potassium hydrogen phthalate?

The conventional model is sp2. Potassium hydrogen phthalate has 3 electron domains around the central C.

What is the CAS number of Potassium hydrogen phthalate?

The CAS number is 877-24-7. PubChem (CID 23676735) and NIST identify this with C8H5KO4; use it to locate suppliers and database records.

References

  1. PubChem CID 23676735, Potassium hydrogen phthalate. Molecular formula, CAS number, molecular weight and chemical identity.
  2. NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69, Potassium hydrogen phthalate. Formula, CAS Registry Number and thermochemical / spectroscopic data.
  3. IUPAC Gold Book. Definitions for "lone pair", "VSEPR", "hybridization" and "formal charge".
  4. Atkins, P. & de Paula, J., Physical Chemistry. VSEPR, molecular geometry and dipole moments.
  5. Guidechem supplier & dictionary records. Commercial sourcing and CAS-linked property pages for Potassium hydrogen phthalate (CAS 877-24-7).

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 877-24-7 identifies the substance, not a universal purity specification.

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