Chapter 13, Problem 88E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The Lewis structure and formal charge on cyanate and fulminate ion needs to be determined and the unstability of fulminate ion needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Lewis dot structure is the representation which shows the bonding between atoms present in a molecule. It shows lone pairs and bond pairs that exist on each bonded atom. Lewis dot structure is also known as Lewis dot formula or electron dot structure.

Formal charge on each atom can be determined with the help of number of valence shell electrons, number of lone pair electrons and bond pair electrons. The formula for the formal charge can be written as:

  $\begin{array}{l}\text{FC = VE – LE – bond pair}\\ \text{FC}\text{}\text{= formal charge}\\ \text{VE = Valence electrons }\\ \text{LE}\text{}\text{= number of lone pair electrons }\\ \text{Bond pair = Number of bond pairs}\end{array}$