How is carbon monoxide represented?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 4, 2016

So what is the question?

Explanation:

Generally we represent the carbon monoxide as #"sp-hybridized"#. Such a scheme places formal charges on the oxygen and carbon atoms:

#""^(-):C-=O:^(+)#

There are 5 valence electrons around #C#, hence it has a formal negative charge, but only 5 around #O#, hence it has a formal positive charge. Such a designation can help rationalize why carbon monoxide typically binds to a metal centre via the carbon, e.g. #[Ni(CO)_4]#.

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