Nitric oxide has a linear molecular shape. The electron pair geometry around both the oxygen and nitrogen atoms is trigonal planar . On the oxygen atom one group of electrons is represented by the double bond, the second group of electrons is represented by the unshared electron pair and the third group of electrons is also represented by the unshared electron pair. On the nitrogen atom one group of electrons is represented by the double bond, the second group of electrons is represented by the unshared electron pair and the third group of electrons is represented by the extra electron. This is the structural formula for nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide has molecular polarity.
The partial specific negative charge is on the oxygen atom and the partial specific positive charge is on the nitrogen atom. All Material Copyright Eastern ChemWeb, Eastern Oregon University, 1996-1997.