formal charge on central atom

[Megan Potter 1G]

is there some rule that states the formal charge on the central atom should be zero? like if you have to have atoms within a molecule with a +1 and -1 to make the overall charge 0, is there a rule that states the central atom should have a formal charge of 0 and the other atoms should be the ones with the charges?

[Isabelle De Rego 1A]

There is no particular rule, but since your central atom is typically the least electronegative one, it is the least likely to have a charge on it since the surrounding atoms are more likely to take the electrons.

[NabilaNizam-1K]

Does the formal charge of the central atom affect the overall charge of the molecule?

[Jocelyn Fermin1J]

Does the formal charge of the central atom affect the overall charge of the molecule?

If the central atom happens to be anything below or above 0, then it will affect the overall charge of the molecule.