Is the formal charge of #Br# in Bromate (#BrO_3^-#) +2?

1 Answer
Jun 20, 2016

The common Lewis representation gives a neutral #Br# centre.

Explanation:

There are 26 valence electrons to distribute: #3xx6+7+1#:

#""^(-)O-Br(=O)_2# with a lone pair on the central bromine atom, gives neutral doubly bound oxygens, a neutral bromine, and the singly bound oxygen atom bears a formal negative charge.

Given this representation, what is the structure of bromate ion?