Question

What formal charges are present in the molecule $C_6{H}_{5}C\equiv N-O?$

• A. $N$ is $-1$ and $C$ is $+1$
• B. $N$ is $+1$ and $C$ is $-1$
• C. $O$ is $-1$ and $C$ is $+1$
• D. $O$ is $-1$ and $N$ is $+1$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

For nitrogen, formal charge $=5-\frac{1}{2}(8)=+1$

For oxygen, formal charge $=6-6-\frac{1}{2}(2)=-1$