Problem: Consider the following bond lengths:C-O 143 pmC=O 123 pmC≡O 109 pmIn the CO32- ion, all three C-O bonds have identical bond lengths of 136 pm. Why?

FREE Expert Solution

CO32- has resonance structures, each C-O bond can resonate into a C=O. 


Total valence electrons:


C   1 x 4 e- = 4 val. e-

O   3 x 6 e- = 18 val. e-

From -2 charge: add 2 e-

Total : 24 val. e-


The resonance structures of CO32- are:

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Problem Details

Consider the following bond lengths:

C-O 143 pm
C=O 123 pm
C≡O 109 pm

In the CO32- ion, all three C-O bonds have identical bond lengths of 136 pm. Why?

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