Question

Consider the Lewis structure below. What are the formal charges of each atom?

H - ?
C - ?
N(A) - ?
N(B) - ?

Answer 1

As written this is a formal cation...........

Explanation:

All the atoms of this species ARE neutral, except for the nitrogen bound to carbon, `N_A`. There are FOUR electrons associated with this nitrogen (3 from the triple bond, 1 from the `C-N`) to give 6 electrons associated with the nitrogen centre (2 electrons are inner core!). On the other hand, around the terminal nitrogen, `N_B`, there 7 electrons as required for neutrality.