Question

Determine the $C-O$ bond order & average formal charge on each oxygen atom in $HC{O}_2^{-}$ respectively?

• A. 1.5, -0.5
• B. 2,-0.5
• C. 1.33,-1.5
• D. 1.5,-1.33

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$H-\underset{\stackrel{||}{O}}{C}-O^{-}$
Formal charge $=\frac{\text{ charge }}{{\text{ no. of }}^{\prime }\text{ O’atom }}=\frac{-1}{2}$
$=-0.5$
Bond order $=2-|F.C.|=2-0.5=1.5$