Chapter 6, Problem 6.27QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Whether the formal charges represent an actual separation of charges has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

A formal charge (FC) is the charge assigned to an atom in a molecule, irrespective of relative electronegativity by thinking that electrons in all chemical bonds are shared equally among atoms.

Formal charge of an atom can be determined by the given formula.

$\text{Formal}\text{charge}\left(\text{F}\text{C}\right)\text{=}\left(\begin{array}{l}\text{number}\text{of}\text{valence}\\ \text{electron}\text{in}\text{atom}\end{array}\right)-\frac{\text{1}}{\text{2}}\left(\begin{array}{l}\text{number}\text{of}\text{bonding}\\ \text{electrons}\end{array}\right)-\left(\begin{array}{l}\text{number}\text{of}\text{non-bonding}\\ \text{electrons}\end{array}\right)$