Question 23.8: For the following electron-dot structures, give the line dra......

For the following electron-dot structures, give the line drawing and indicate any nonzero formal charges on atoms. (Note: It is possible to have resonance structures with electron-deficient carbon atoms because orbitals can be empty. However, carbon can never expand its octet.)

STRATEGY

Step 1. Apply the formula for calculating formal charge given in Section 7.10 to each carbon and oxygen atom in each structure as shown.

Formal charge = (Number of valence electrons in free atom) – \frac{1}{2}(Number of bonding electrons) – (Number of nonbonding electrons)

Step 2. Convert the electron-dot structure into a line drawing by indicating carbon–carbon bonds with a line. Do not show hydrogen atoms or lone pairs of electrons. Be sure to indicate all nonzero formal charges on atoms in the line drawing.