How do you use the Lewis dot structure to represent hydrogen carbonate?

1 Answer
anor277
Mar 9, 2016

The formal charge lies on the oxygen atom.

Explanation:

The carbonate dianion may be represented as #(O=)C(-O^(-))_2#, with a formal negative charge on 2 oxygen atoms. Introduce an hydrogen ion, carbonate becomes bicarbonate, and the Lewis structure is #(O=)C(-O^(-))(OH)#. There are 24 valence electrons involved in the bonding: 4 from carbon; 18 from oxygen; and 1 each from the negative charge and hydrogen.

What is your prediction with respect to geometry around the central carbon?

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