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DNA joined together between 3' OH and 5' Phosphate

Doesn't the phosphate now have 10 electrons mutually shared between the oxygen atoms? I am unable to understand how the phosphate bond would be formed if phosphate does not obey the octet rule.

Thank you!

Reference: http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/aminoacids/makedna.gif

Glorfindel
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1 Answers1

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The octet rule is just a rule. Once you leave the 2nd row of the periodic table, the octet rule doesn't apply. Further reading: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypervalent_molecule

Zhe
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