JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3cb016
The nitrate ion is drawn with one N=O and two N-O− bonds. Which of the following statements about this single structure are correct?
AThe formal charge on nitrogen is +1
BNitrogen carries one lone pair
CThe sum of the formal charges on the three oxygen atoms is −2
DThe total number of lone pairs in the structure is 8
Answer: A, C, D
N has 4 bonds and no lone pair: 5−4=+1, so the first statement is true and the second false. Oxygens: 0−1−1=−2 (true), and the net charge is +1−2=−1. Lone pairs: the double-bonded O has 2 and each O− has 3, giving 8 (true).