Are you wondering is N02+ polar or nonpolar? Before going to the main topic, read the below introduction of nitronium ion (NO2+).
The nitronium ion (NO2+) is the particle, atom, or molecule of the ion with a net electrical charge. If the atom or group of atoms gain or more electrons, they will give a negative charge; otherwise, if the atom or group of atoms lost one or more electrons, they will generate a negative, positive charge.
Due to the 1+ charge and the tetravalent nitrogen atom, NO2+ has an onium ion.
The NO2+ is created by removing an electron from the paramagnetic nitrogen dioxide molecule of nitric acid with the removal of water( H2O).
Nitronium ion (NO2+) Stable enough to survive under normal conditions, but usually reactive.
Formula:
The formula of the Nitronium ion is NO2+.
Molar Mass:
The molar mass of the Nitronium ion (NO2+) is 46.005 g·mol−1.
Is NO2+ Polar or Nonpolar
Explanation 1:
Nitronium ion (NO2+) is a nonpolar molecule because of its linear structure. The linear structure cancels out opposing dipole forces. The result is that the molecule has no permanent partial charge.
Explanation 2:
Nitronium ion (NO2+) is a nonpolar molecule because the structure of NO2+ is linear geometrical. For that, the polarity of opposite no bonds are destroyed while forming nonpolar NO2 + ions.
Explanation 3:
Nitronium ion (NO2+) is a nonpolar molecule because the molecule deposit two N-O bonds are polar. Since there is no electron pair in the central N atom, NO2 + has a linear shape, which cancels out the positive and negative charges generated in the molecule and sets the liquid’s dipole to zero.
The NF3 is polar because NF3 has a lewis structure and BrF5 is also polar because the molecular geometry of BrF5 is square pyramidal.
Summary
I have explained above why NO2+ is a nonpolar molecule. Some students don’t understand it properly. That’s why I have described it in three different ideas and wording. One of them in the above paragraph will be easy for you.
NO2+ Compound Name
The addition of one electron forms neutral nitrosyl radical NO2. It is very stable and is called composite nitrogen dioxide. Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas such as oxides of nitrogen or nitrogen oxides.
The nitrogen oxides are formed from O2 and N2 during high-temperature combustion of fuel in the car.
Nitrogen oxide gas is very poisonous that may kill or injury a person, just like chlorine gas. This gas can cause heart failure because it’s easily absorbed through the lungs.
Summary
Dioxide nitrogen (1+) is nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO2) is a Very toxic gas.
NO2+ Molecular Geometry
What is no2+ molecular geometry? NO2 is a bent molecule, but if you remove the electron from it, they make it NO2+. Once it loses the lone electron so due to losing the lone electron, the molecules become linear. With NO2 +, there is no repulsion between the two O atoms and one electron in the central atom.
A molecule in which two adjacent bonds are not co-located has a bent molecular geometry. Those atoms such as oxygen always have two or more covalent bonds in a non-collinear direction due to their electronic structure.


The bong angle of the bent molecule is 90°<θ<120°.
Example Of Bent Molecule:
H2O, SO2
Summary
Simple is that NO2 is a bent molecule.
NO2+ Lewis Structure
To draw the lewis structure of NO2+, follow these steps. If you didn’t understand the steps, then watch the below video that will help you draw the lewis structure of NO2+ easily.
Step 1:
- First of all, you need to select the central atom N, which is the less electronegative. After that, you need to connect the N with the atoms O using a single bond, as shown in the figure.


Step 2:
- Now you need to calculate the number of Pi bonds using the lewis structure and octet rules.
- If I talk about the NO2+, it consists of three atoms, Where V = (6 + 5 + 6) – 1, which becomes 16. Therefore, P = 6n + 2 – V = 6 * 3 + 2 – 16 = 4
- Therefore, NO2 + has four electrons (pi electrons), and it is necessary to add two double bonds to the structure of stage 1.
Step 3:
The two double bonds between N and O are added to the structure in step 1. You can add a triple bond between N and O. Add an isolated pair of electrons so that there is 1 byte of electrons around each atom. All resonance structures corresponding to NO2 + are created by moving electron pairs. The Lewis structure of NO2 + is given below.
Step 4:


Hybridization Of NO2+
The hybridization of NO2+ is SP because NO2+ forms two bonds, and the molecule has four external electrons. Two enter the hybrid orbital, which creates a sigma bond. The remaining two orbitals form a pi bond.
The two hybridized orbitals = sp1
Hybridization is the concept of mixing atomic orbitals into new hybrid orbitals suitable for pairing electrons and forming a chemical bond.
Summary
The hybridization of NO2+ is s and one p orbital.
NO2+ Bond Angle
Sulfur difluoride, SF2, is an AX2E2 species and has an angle of 98 degrees. Nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is an AX2E species and has a bond angle of 134 degrees.
Summary
There is no repulsion between the O atom and the central atom in NO2+.
Properties of Nitronium ion (NO2+)
- The molar mass of NO2+ is 46.005 g·mol−1.
- It is soluble in non-polar solvents and insoluble in polar solvents, The example of non-polar solvent is benzene, carbon tetrachloride, etc. and example, polar solvents is water, ammonia, etc.
- NO2+ gas is very toxic, and it can lead to human death.
- Because of the nitrogen atom has a +1 charge, it has a high electronic affinity and is used as an electrophoresis reagent in the titration process.
Summary
Above is the properties of NO2+.
Uses of Nitronium ion (NO2+)
- It is used as an electrophile in the nitration process.
- NO2+ is used in the preparation of fertilizer such as slurry, worm castings, peat etc.
- It is used in the preparation of several commercially available salts, such as fluorinated nitrile (NO2F) and nitrile chloride (NO2Cl).
Summary
The above three is the uses of NO2+, but it’s widely used as an electrophile in the nitration process.
Why Is NO2+ An Electrophile
Here is the reason why NO2+ is as an electrophile, Electrophile has the species that are electron loving. Therefore, they usually have a positive charge and do not have an isolated pair. The Electrophile accepts the pair of electrons and forms a new covalent bond.
Summary
The Nucleophiles is different from electrophile because it provides a pair of electrons to form a chemical bond associated with the reaction.
Related Questions
What is the bond order in no2+?
The bond order in NO2+ is 2.
How is no2+ formed?
The NO2+ is created by removing electrons from paramagnetic nitrogen dioxide molecules or by protonating nitric acid (removing H2O).
How many resonance structures does no2+ have?
There are two main resonance structures for NO2.
Final Thoughts
That was all about is NO2+ polar or non polar, I hope now it’s clear to you that NO2+ is a non-polar molecule.
The NO2+ is a bent molecule, not linear.
If you want to draw the lewis structure of NO2+, you can draw it easily by following the above steps and watching the above video.
The hybridization of NO2+ is s and one p orbital, and the structure of nitronium ion is linear with the bond angle of 180°.
Do you think we have missed anything about NO2+ topic? Let us know in the comments section below I will add them.