1. place the atoms relative to each other
→ for compounds with the general molecular formula abn, place the atom with the lower group number in the center (it needs more electrons to attain an octet; usually, this is also the atom with the lower electronegativity)
→ for atoms with same group number, place the atom with the higher period number (also lower en) in the center.
2. determine total number of valence electrons (+ charges)
3. draw a single bond from each surrounding atom to the central atom, and subtract 2e⁻ from the total for each bond to find the number of e⁻ remaining
4. distribute the remaining electrons in pairs so that each atom ends up with 8e⁻. first, place lone pairs on the surrounding (more electronegative) atoms to give each an octet. if any electrons remain, place them around the central atom.
step 5. if a central atom does not end up with an octet, form one or more multiple bonds.