electron dot structure for nitric oxide

[jeannerodrig]

In looking at the electron dot structure for nitric oxide, how many electrons are being shared between the oxygen and nitrogen atoms?

[Peter Pedant]

excellent q

which level is this ?

at a very basic level you will note Oxygen is valent-2 and nitrogen valent - 3
so er...ntiric oxide shouldnt exist (but is reactive and oxidises quickly in air)

have you done dative bonds ?

if you have then it could be(but isnt)

N == O
<----

and the arrow shows a dative bond between oxygen and nitrogen


as you get further in this

you have to get your head around Molecular orbital theory and if you refer to a text, the molecular orbitals for CO and NO are identical
but I will let you read that (I think pi anti bonding orbitals come into it and I get a headache)