Problem: Consider these structures.For which structure(s) does the electron-bearing carbon atom have a formal charge of zero?a) methylene onlyb) ethyl radical onlyc) both d) neitherFor which structure(s) is the net charge zero?a) methylene onlyb) ethyl radical onlyc) bothd) neither

FREE Expert Solution

Recall that the formula for the formal charge is:

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

The given Lewis structures are:

For methylene:

There's only 1 carbon: