Question

Select the true statements regarding these resonance structures of formate. The actual structure of formate is an average of the two resonance forms. Each carbon-oyxgen bond is somewhere between a single and double bond. The actual structure of formate switches back and forth between the two resonance forms. Each oxygen atom has a double bond 50% of the time.

select the true statements

Answer 1

Concepts and reason

Bonding cannot be explained by a single Lewis structure for some molecules or ions. We use resonance structures if bonding cannot be explained by a single Lewis structure.

Fundamentals

Resonance structures are also called as canonical structures. Stability of compound depends upon the number resonance structures it can form.

Bonding arrangement vary from one resonance structure to another. So, to determine the structure and bond length, always take an average.

Lewis structure of the two resonance structures are as follows:

The double head arrow between two resonance structures, represents that each resonance form of formate switches back and forth. The actual structure of formate is an average of the two resonance forms.

Each carbon-oxygen bond is somewhere between a single and double bond.

Ans:

The first two statements are true. The true statements are

The actual structure of format is an average of the two resonance forms.

Each carbon-oxygen bond is somewhere between a single and double bond.