Textbook question 2B 23

[Jane Ling Dis3E]

For question 2B 23 c, the second resonance structure (H - C - - N) the answers give shows N without a full octet. Is this a mistake in the textbook? Or is there an extra exception to the octet rule? When do we know when a molecule can be made into a radical?

[Giselle_Arreguin_2K]

I do believe this is a mistake. I feel like it should be a triple bond I think. Also a radical is based on if there is a single electron left, in other words, if there is an odd total of electrons.

[205920714]

I also do believe that this is a mistake in the textbook. There would be a triple bond between the carbon and the nitrogen in this structure in order to complete the octets in both carbon and nitrogen. Since there are not an odd number of electrons in this structure, just an incomplete octet, it wouldn't be considered a radical. However, this could also be a case where nitrogen does not have the fill its octet in order to create a viable structure. Remember to calculate formal charge for each structure made to test if it is a stable option.

[506047744]

this is a mistake