What is the resonance structure for CO23?

1 Answer
May 31, 2016

CO23 = (O=)C(O)2

Explanation:

There are 4+6+6+6+2 valence electrons, i.e. 12 electron pairs to distribute over 4 centres. Of course, the resonance structure features 3 regions of electron density around a central carbon, and thus a trigonal planar structure. The oxygen atoms are all equivalent, and each CO bond has partial double bond character.