What are the formal charges of the atoms in the nitrite ion in the order of nitrogen, oxygen 1 and oxygen 2?
`overset(1)O=N-overset(2)O` : 0, 0, -1 ; 0, +1, -1 ; -1, 0, -1 ; -1, 0, 0

Options

A. 0, 0, -1
B. 0, -1, -1
C. -1, 0, -1
D. -1, 0, 0

Answer

A

Explanation

The nitrite ion can be represented as `:underset(ddot)overset(1)O=overset(+)(ddotN)-underset(ddot)overset(2)(ddotO)^(-) :`
Formal charge on any atom=Number of valence electrons - Number of non-bonding electrons-`1//2` (number of bonding electrons)
Formal charge on oxygen atom =`5-2-1/2 (6)=0` Formal charge on nitrogen atom `1= 6-4-1/2 (4)=0` Formal charge on oxygen atom `2=6-6-1/2 (2)=-1`