How many bonds can each of the elements below form with neighboring atoms in a compound? CHON BOSCH

Maximum number of bonds each of the elements can form:

C: 4 bonds, H: 1 bonds, O: 2 bonds, N: 3 bonds, B: 3 bonds, S: 4 bonds.

Explanation:

The elements C, O, S and N follows the octet rule which establishes that every atom must have eight valence electrons to be stable. Thus, Carbon has 4 valence electrons, so could link 4 atoms. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, so could link 3 atoms. Oxygen and Sulfur have 6 valence electrons, so could link 2 atoms. Hydrogen and Boron are exceptions to the octet rule, therefore, the first one only needs 2 valence electron to be stable and the second one only needs 6 valence electron to be stable.