The thiocyanate ion (SCN-) has three possible resonance structures. Draw the three structures, calculate the formal charges on each atom in each structure (show your work) and arrange the three structures in decreasing order of importance.
Sol:-
We know that
Formal Charge (F.C) = Number of valence electrons in atom (V) - Number of unshared electrons (U) - 1/2 x Number of shared electrons (S).
In structure I :-
F.C on S = 6 - 2 - 8/2 = 6 - 2 - 4 = 6 - 6 = 0
F.C on C = 4 - 0 - 8/2 = 4 - 4 = 0
F.C on N = 5 - 6 - 2/2 = 5 - 6 - 1 = 5 - 7 = - 2
In structure II :-
F.C on S = 6 - 4 - 4/2 = 6 - 4 - 2 = 6 - 6 = 0
F.C on C = 4 - 0 - 8/2 = 4 - 4 = 0
F.C on N = 5 - 4 - 4/2 = 5 - 4 - 2 = 5 - 6 = - 1
In structure III:-
F.C on S = 6 - 6 - 2/2 = 6 - 6 - 1 = 6 - 7 = -1
F.C on C = 4 - 0 - 8/2 = 4 - 4 = 0
F.C on N = 5 - 2 - 6/2 = 5 - 2 - 3 = 5 - 5 = 0
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