High energy structures

[Krisha Parekh]

How does minimizing the formal charge for an atom contribute to the overall stability of the molecular structure and is there any case in which a higher energy structure (one with a formal charge that isn't 0) be favored?

[Fiona Nguyen 2L]

Hello,
Minimizing formal charge reduces electrostatic repulsion which can help satisfy the octet rule and contribute to molecule stability. Higher energy structures are favored when they occur on more electronegative atoms or when they contribute to resonance structures that stabilize the overall molecule.