How do we write the Lewis structure of carbon monoxide?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 1, 2017

By formal charge separation..........

Explanation:

A typical Lewis structure used for the carbon monoxide molecule is #""^(-):C-=O^(+)#. Of course this is a formalism, that is it is a way to view the molecule in an abstract sense. However, such a Lewis structure does reflect the experimental fact that when carbon monoxide binds to a metal centre, it usually binds thru the carbon.

Related questions
See all questions in Formal Charge
Impact of this question
1733 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License