Lewis Structure of PS3- (With 6 Simple Steps to Draw!)

Lewis Structure of PS3-

Ready to learn how to draw the lewis structure of PS3- ion?

Awesome!

Here, I have explained 6 simple steps to draw the lewis dot structure of PS3- ion (along with images).

So, if you are ready to go with these 6 simple steps, then let’s dive right into it!

Lewis structure of PS3- ion contains one double bond and two single bonds between the Phosphorous (P) atom and Sulfur (S) atoms. The Phosphorus atom (P) is at the center and it is surrounded by 3 Sulfur atoms (S). 

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 PS3- ion).

6 Steps to Draw the Lewis Structure of PS3-

Step #1: Calculate the total number of valence electrons

Here, the given ion is PS3. In order to draw the lewis structure of PS3 ion, first of all you have to find the total number of valence electrons present in the PS3 ion.
(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 PS3 ion

  • For Phosphorus: 

Phosphorus is a group 15 element on the periodic table. [1]

Hence, the valence electrons present in phosphorus is 5 (see below image).

  • For Sulfur:

Sulfur is a group 16 element on the periodic table. [2]

Hence, the valence electrons present in sulfur is 6 (see below image).

Hence in a PS3 ion, 

Valence electrons given by Phosphorus (P) atom = 5
Valence electrons given by each Sulfur (S) atom = 6
Electron due to -1 charge, 1 more electron is added
So, total number of Valence electrons in PS3 molecule = 5 + 6(3) + 1 = 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). [1]

Here in the PS3- ion, if we compare the phosphorus atom (P) and sulfur atom (S), then phosphorus is less electronegative than sulfur.

So, phosphorus should be placed in the center and the remaining 3 sulfur 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 PS3, put the two electrons (i.e electron pair) between each phosphorus atom and sulfur atom to represent a chemical bond between them.

step 2

These pairs of electrons present between the Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S) atoms form a chemical bond, which bonds the phosphorus and sulfur atoms with each other in a PS3- ion.

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 PS3 ion, the outer atoms are sulfur atoms.

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

step 3

Now, you can see in the above image that both the sulfur atoms form an octet.

Also, all the 24 valence electrons of PS3- ion (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 PS3 ion.

Let’s move to the next step.

Step #5: Check whether the central atom has octet or not. If it does not have an octet, then move the electron pair from the outer atom to form a double bond or triple bond

In this step, we have to check whether the central atom (i.e phosphorus) has an octet or not. 

In simple words, we have to check whether the central Phosphorus (P) atom is having 8 electrons or not.

step 4

As you can see from the above image, the central atom (i.e phosphorus) has only 6 electrons. So it does not fulfill the octet rule.

Now, in order to fulfill the octet of phosphorus atom, we have to move the electron pair from the outer atom (i.e sulfur atom) to form a double bond.

step 5

Now you can see from the above image that the central atom (i.e phosphorus), is having 8 electrons. So it fulfills the octet rule and the phosphorus atom is stable.

Step #6: Check the formal charge

Now, you have come to the final step and here you have to check the formal charge on PS3- ion. 

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

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

step 6
  • For Phosphorus:
    Valence electrons = 5 (as it is in group 15)
    Nonbonding electrons = 0
    Bonding electrons = 8
  • For double bonded Sulfur:
    Valence electron = 6 (as it is in group 16)
    Nonbonding electrons = 4
    Bonding electrons = 4
  • For single bonded Sulfur:
    Valence electron = 6 (as it is in group 16)
    Nonbonding electrons = 6
    Bonding electrons = 2
Formal charge=Valence electronsNonbonding electrons(Bonding electrons)/2
P=508/2=+1
S (double bonded)=644/2=0
S (single bonded)=662/2=-1
S (single bonded)=662/2=-1

Let’s keep these charges on the atoms in the above lewis structure of PS3 ion.

step 7

As you can see in the above sketch, the pair of positive and negative charges gets canceled. Thus there is only one -ve charge left on the sulfur atom, which indicates the -1 formal charge on the PS3 molecule.

Hence, the above lewis structure of PS3- ion is the stable lewis structure.

Each electron pair (:) in the lewis dot structure of PS3- ion represents the single bond ( | ). So the above lewis dot structure of PS3- ion can also be represented as shown below.

ps3- lewis structure

Related lewis structures for your practice:
Lewis Structure of SOF2
Lewis Structure of SeBr4
Lewis Structure of BrCl2-
Lewis Structure of CF2S
Lewis Structure of PI5 


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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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