Answer to self-test question #2

Left-to-right:

  • The first structure has five bonds to carbon (octet violation, 10 e- around C)
  • The second structure would have formal charge of 2+ on the central oxygen atom
  • The third structure has 10 e- around the interior nitrogen (octet violation)
  • The fourth structure has a double bond to hydrogen ("duet" violation)

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