Lewis Structure of BBr3 (With 5 Simple Steps to Draw!)

Lewis Structure of BBr3

I’m super excited to teach you the lewis structure of BBr3 in just 5 simple steps.

Infact, I’ve also given the step-by-step images for drawing the lewis dot structure of BBr3 molecule.

So, if you are ready to go with these 5 simple steps, then let’s dive right into it!

Lewis structure of BBr3 contains three single bonds between the Boron (B) atom and each Bromine (Br) atom. The Boron atom (B) is at the center and it is surrounded by 3 Bromine atoms (Br). The Boron atom does not have a lone pair while all three bromine atoms have three lone pairs each.

Let’s draw and understand this lewis dot structure step by step.

(Note: Take a pen and paper with you and try to draw this lewis structure along with me. I am sure you will definitely learn how to draw lewis structure of BBr3).

5 Steps to Draw the Lewis Structure of BBr3

Step #1: Calculate the total number of valence electrons

Here, the given molecule is BBr3. In order to draw the lewis structure of BBr3, first of all you have to find the total number of valence electrons present in the BBr3 molecule.
(Valence electrons are the number of electrons present in the outermost shell of an atom).

So, let’s calculate this first.

Calculation of valence electrons in BBr3

  • For Boron:

Boron is a group 13 element on the periodic table. [1]

Hence, the valence electrons present in boron is 3 (see below image).

  • For Bromine:

Bromine is a group 17 element on the periodic table. [2]

Hence, the valence electrons present in bromine is 7 (see below image).

Hence in a BBr3 molecule, 

Valence electrons given by Boron (B) atom = 3
Valence electrons given by each Bromine (Br) atom = 7
So, total number of Valence electrons in BBr3 molecule = 3 + 7(3) = 24

Step #2: Select the center atom

While selecting the center atom, always put the least electronegative atom at the center.

(Remember: Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the periodic table and the electronegativity decreases as we move right to left in the periodic table as well as top to bottom in the periodic table). [3]

Here in the BBr3 molecule, if we compare the boron atom (B) and bromine atom (Br), then boron is less electronegative than bromine.

So, boron should be placed in the center and the remaining 3 bromine atoms will surround it.

step 1

Step #3: Put two electrons between the atoms to represent a chemical bond

Now in the above sketch of BBr3 molecule, put the two electrons (i.e electron pair) between each boron atom and bromine atom to represent a chemical bond between them.

step 2

These pairs of electrons present between the Boron (B) and Bromine (Br) atoms form a chemical bond, which bonds the boron and bromine atoms with each other in a BBr3 molecule.

Step #4: Complete the octet (or duplet) on outside atoms. If the valence electrons are left, then put the valence electrons pair on the central atom

Don’t worry, I’ll explain!

In the Lewis structure of BBr3, the outer atoms are bromine atoms.

So now, you have to complete the octet on these bromine atoms (because bromine requires 8 electrons to have a complete outer shell).

step 3

Now, you can see in the above image that all the bromine atoms form an octet.

Also, all the 24 valence electrons of BBr3 molecule (as calculated in step #1) are used in the above structure. So there are no remaining electron pairs.

Hence there is no change in the above sketch of BBr3.

Let’s move to the next step.

Step #5: Check the stability of lewis structure by calculating the formal charge on each atom

Now, you have come to the final step and here you have to check the formal charge on boron atom (B) as well as each bromine atom (Br).

For that, you need to remember the formula of formal charge;

Formal charge = Valence electrons – Nonbonding electrons – (Bonding electrons)/2

step 4
  • For Boron:
    Valence electrons = 3 (as it is in group 13)
    Nonbonding electrons = 0
    Bonding electrons = 6
  • For Bromine:
    Valence electron = 7 (as it is in group 17)
    Nonbonding electrons = 6
    Bonding electrons = 2
Formal charge=Valence electronsNonbonding electrons(Bonding electrons)/2
B=306/2=0
Br=762/2=0

So you can see above that the formal charges on boron as well as bromine are “zero”.

Hence, there will not be any change in the above structure and the above lewis structure of BBr3 is the final stable structure only.

Each electron pair (:) in the lewis dot structure of BBr3 represents the single bond ( | ). So the above lewis dot structure of BBr3 can also be represented as shown below.

bbr3 lewis structure

Related lewis structures for your practice:
Lewis Structure of IF2-
Lewis Structure of BrF2-
Lewis Structure of P2
Lewis Structure of IBr2-
Lewis Structure of PI3 


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Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.

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