Question

Covalency of carbon in $CO$ is three because

• A. an unexcited carbon atom has two unpaired electrons
• B. the C-atom has four valence electrons
• C. the C-atom can be an acceptor of an electron pair
• D. the maximum covalency of carbon is three

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

In structure I, octet of oxygen is complete but octet of carbon is incomplete. Hence, carbon is an acceptor of an electron pair from oxygen. Thus, covalency of carbon is three in $CO$.