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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3cb010

In the Lewis structure of $CO$ with a triple bond and one lone pair on each atom, the formal charges on C and O are, respectively,

AC: $+ 1$ , O: $- 1$
BC: $0$ , O: $0$
CC: $- 1$ , O: $+ 1$
DC: $- 2$ , O: $+ 2$

Answer: C

C has 3 bonds and 1 lone pair:

4 - 2 - 3 = - 1

. O has 3 bonds and 1 lone pair:

6 - 2 - 3 = + 1

. Their sum is zero, as required for a neutral molecule.

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