Question

Diazomethane has the molecular formula CH2N2. Draw the preferred Lewis structure for diazomethane and assign formal charges to all atoms, if any.

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

We define the formal charge on an atom in a molecule as the charge it carries assuming that electrons in all chemical bonds of the molecule were shared equally between atoms irrespective of the electronegativity of each atom.

The formula for calculating the formal charge on an atom in a molecule is;

Formal Charge = [number of valence electrons on neutral atom] – [(number of lone electron pairs) + (½ number of bonding electrons)] ·

The formal charge on the two nitrogen atoms in diazomethane is obtained as follows;

Middle nitrogen atom = 5 – 8/2 – 0 = +1

Last nitrogen atom = 5 – 4/2 – 4 = –1

The Lewis structure of the molecule is shown in the image attached.