Lewis Structure Generator
Phenol · C₆H₅OH

C₆H₅OH Lewis Structure

Oxygen has two lone pairs, and one can conjugate with the aromatic ring while the O–H bond remains explicit.

Open C₆H₅OH in the generatorSee drawing steps
C₆H₅OH
C₆H₅—O—H
Reviewed stored connectivity; detailed electron placement is explained below
Total valence electrons36
Reviewed connectivityC₆H₅—O—H
GeometryPlanar aromatic ring; bent at oxygen
Support levelReviewed guide

Phenol overview

The stored Lewis connectivity is C₆H₅—O—H. Oxygen has two lone pairs, and one can conjugate with the aromatic ring while the O–H bond remains explicit.

How to draw C₆H₅OH

  1. Count 36 valence electrons. Include charge adjustments before drawing.
  2. Use the reviewed connectivity C₆H₅—O—H. Do not infer a different isomer from the formula alone.
  3. Place the required single, double or multiple bonds. Keep a running electron total.
  4. Complete terminal valence shells and add lone pairs or formal charges. Oxygen has two lone pairs, and one can conjugate with the aromatic ring while the O–H bond remains explicit.
  5. Verify the total electron count and geometry. The reviewed geometry is Planar aromatic ring; bent at oxygen.

Why this example matters

Oxygen has two lone pairs, and one can conjugate with the aromatic ring while the O–H bond remains explicit.

Scope and model limits

The page shows neutral phenol. Phenoxide after deprotonation has a different charge and broader resonance delocalization.

Common mistakes

  • Attaching hydrogen to the ring carbon instead of oxygen
  • Omitting oxygen lone pairs
  • Treating phenol as cyclohexanol

Last reviewed: 2026-07-16. Educational reference only; verify graded work with course materials.