Octet rule scope

There are many exceptions to the so-called octet rule, but only a few will be encountered within the scope of this book. Such cases will be discussed in detail as they are encountered. 

Although there are many violations of the octet rule, most electron dot structures that one can write down in accordance with this rule and its general scope of validity correspond to molecules that actually exist. Sometimes, however, we are surprised to find that the molecules corresponding to an apparently reasonable Lewis formula are not known. 

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