Plausible Formal Charges

[Angel Gutierrez 2E]

Would the most stable resonance structure be considered the structure with a formal charge of 0?

[Lauren Mungo 1K]

Yes! Or if the overall formal charge of structure being zero is not possible, the structure with the lowest formal charge is the most stable.

[emmaferry2D]

Yes! when the formal charge is zero (or as close to zero as the structure will allow) is less reactive. This is due to the molecule having less of an intramolecular pull than molecules that have positive or negative formal charges or charges that do not cancel out.

[Jason Knight - 1F]

Correct, the most stable resonance structure would be considered the structure with the formal charge of 0. If 0 is not a consideration, then the formal charge closest to zero is considered the most stable because the structure has the least separation.

[Carly_Lipschitz_3H]

Yes, the most stable resonance structure would be considered the structure with a formal charge of 0. If you can't get any of the lewis structures to have a formal charge of zero, it is best to try to limit the elements that exhibit strong formal charges throughout the structure. So, if you can't get the formal charge to zero, try to get it as close to zero as possible for the most stable resonance structure.

[Racquel Fox 2I]

The most stable Lewis structure is the structure with the lowest amount of charge, if not a charge of zero.

[Sabrina Galvan 3J]

In addition, if a charge of zero is not possible, then a stable resonance structure would also have the smallest magnitude of charges, specifically, the smallest negative charge would be on the most electronegative atom.

[Reece Fong 2k]

Yes! In some cases, having all atoms with a formal charge of 0 is impossible, so the lowest possible formal charge is what you are aiming for.

[Colby Irvine 2A]

Having a balanced electrostatic distribution would yield formal charges to ensure the central atom would have as close of a formal charge to zero as possible. You wouldn't want to have a central atom with a formal charge of +2 and the surrounding atoms to have FC of 0 because it doesnt make sense with the natural electrostatic distribution.

[Omar Alkhalili 1J]

Hello! Yes! Every bond is looking to create a formal charge of 0 for all the atoms involved since that is the most stable.