| Lewis' octet rule is again applicable and is seen to represent the extreme means of achieving lower energy rather than being a goal in itself. |
| The octet rule is followed in so many compounds it is a useful guide. |
| Hypervalent compounds are very common and in general are no less stable than compounds that conform to the octet rule. |
| Often the atoms comprising a complex molecule can be arranged in several ways and still satisfy the octet rule for each atom. |
| It is possible to write Lewis structures that do satisfy the octet rule. |
| An atom will bond with another in order to satisfy the octet rule. |
