Several candidate Lewis structures can be drawn for the cyanate ion, OCN⁻

CHEMISTRY · Single correct · A Level · Chemistry · Bonding · Bonding

Problem

Several candidate Lewis structures can be drawn for the cyanate ion, OCN⁻. Which of the following structures is most plausible based on formal-charge considerations? (a) O=C≡N\mathrm{O=C\equiv N}; all atoms formal charge 0 (b) O– ⁣− ⁣C≡N\mathrm{O^{–}\! -\! C\equiv N}; –1 formal charge on O (c) O−C≡N–\mathrm{O - C\equiv N^{–}}; –1 formal charge on N (d) O=C=N–\mathrm{O = C = N^{–}}; –1 formal charge on N

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