Question

What is the formal charge on the odd-electron bearing carbon in the free radical shown below? Select one: O B. +2 C. O O D. +1

Answer 1

Bonding electrons = 6(3 bonds = 3 times 2 e^-) non bonding electrons e^- = 1 number of volume electrons in free, neutral carbon atom = 4 we know, formal charge - (number of valance electrons in iteration) - 1/2(number of bonding electrons) - (number of non bonding electrons) Formal charge on odd e^- carbon = 4 - 1/2 times 6 - 1 = 4 - 4 = 0 Formal charge on odd electron carbon = 0 therefore free radical shown above is neutral