Problem: Use formal charge to choose the best Lewis structure for CH3SOCH3.

Recall that the formula for the formal charge is:

$\boxed{\mathbf{F}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{C}\mathbf{.}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{Group}\mathbf{ }\mathbf{Number}\mathbf{-}\mathbf{(}\mathbf{Bonds}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{Nonbonding}\mathbf{ }{\mathbf{e}}^{\mathbf{-}}\mathbf{)}}$

Calculating for the formal charge of each atom:

F.C. of H = 1 – (1 + 0) = 0

F.C. of C = 4 – (4 + 0) = 0

F.C. of S = 6 – (5 + 0) = +1

F.C. of O = 6 – (2 + 6) = –2

Calculating for the formal charge of each atom:

F.C. of H = 1 – (1 + 0) = 0

F.C. of C = 4 – (4 + 0) = 0

F.C. of S = 6 – (4 + 2) = 0

F.C. of O = 6 – (2 + 4) = 0