Question

What is the formal charge on the central atom in `POCl_3`, `XeO_4`, `ClO_4^(-)`, and `PO_4^(3-)`?

Answer 1

In each given species, the formal charge on the central atom is `"ZERO"`.

Explanation:

Both pockle3 and the xenon compound are neutral. For `ClO_4^-` and `PO_4^(3-)`, the charges lie on the most electronegative atom, that is oxygen.