Question

The nitrogen atom in cyanide ion, CN –, is surrounded by

a.
one single bond and three lone pairs of electrons.

b.
one double bond and one lone pair of electrons.

c.
one triple bond and one lone pair of electrons.

d.
one triple bond and no lone pairs of electrons.

e.
one double bond and two lone pairs of electrons.

Answer 1

The nitrogen atom in the cyanide ion is involved in a triple bond with carbon and has one lone pair of electrons, making option (c) the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nitrogen atom in the cyanide ion, CN−, forms a triple bond with the carbon atom. This type of bonding involves sharing three pairs of electrons between the two atoms. In addition, the nitrogen atom also has a lone pair of electrons. Therefore, the correct answer is c. one triple bond and one lone pair of electrons.