Sapling Week 5/6 #9

[Jaclyn Schwartz 1I]

How can we determine which resonance structure is most plausible based on formal charge and oxidation number? This is referencing problem 9 from sapling. I know how to get those numbers but based on that information how do we determine which resonance structure?

[Neel Sharma 3F]

If the formal charge of elements and subsequently the oxidation charge of the compound change due to different resonance structures, it is possible that the compound does not have resonance. All resonance structures would be essentially equivalent barring where a double bond (among other things). You can use dotted lines to indicate resonance as well. Sorry if this is not too detailed.

[Frankie Mele 3J]

A low formal charge indicates that there is a minimal amount of electron distribution and therefore the atom has a low energy. The most plausible resonance structure will be the structure with the lowest formal charges which is model C and D on Saplings #9.

[Arya Adibi 1K]

I believe there are two resonant structures that both have only one formal charge of -1. Those would be the most plausible because they minimize the overall formal charge