In the cyanide ion (cn-), the nitrogen has a formal charge of

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Chemistry

Camryn Moran

10 May, 04:15

In the cyanide ion (cn-), the nitrogen has a formal charge of

+4

Answers (1)

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Edith Bean · Answer 1

CN - looks like this using a Lewis structure

= - is a triple bond

:C=-N: Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons

You’ll take 5 and subtract the amount of unshared and 1/2shared

So it’ll be 5 - (2 + 1/2 (6)) = 0

So the Nitrogen has a neutral charge