Question

In the cyanide ion the formal negative charge is on:
A.C
B.N
C.Both C and N
D.Resonate between C and N

Answer 1

Hint: We must remember that the metal atoms hold relatively small amounts of their electrons. As a result, they lose electrons and sort cages. In contrast, most non-metallic atoms attract electrons more strongly than metallic atoms, and therefore make electrons ions.

Complete step by step answer:
As we know that an ion which contains a resonance delocalized negative charge over two unlike atoms is known as ambident nucleophile or ambident ion. For instance, in \[C{N^ - }\] ion the negative charge is present in both carbon and nitrogen atoms.
Since,\[C{N^ - }\] is an ambident ion and both carbon and nitrogen atoms are unlike. Hence, the negative charge is present in both C and N. Nitrogen is more electronegative than carbon in cyanide.
Due to this reason negative charge is developed on nitrogen only not on carbon in cyanide ion. In the cyanide ion the formal negative charge resonance between C and N. Cyanide ion has resonating structure,\[ - CN \leftrightarrow NC\]
Cyanide ion carries the formal negative charge not only in carbon. Therefore, the option A is wrong.
Cyanide ion carries the formal negative charge not only in nitrogen. Therefore, option B is wrong.
Cyanide ion does not carry a negative charge in both C and N. Therefore, the option C is incorrect.
The negative charge on cyanide resonates between C and N.

Therefore, the option D is correct.

Note:
We must remember that in CO, the carbon gets two electrons from its lone pair and three shared electrons (one from each of the triple bonds). But carbon began with four valence electrons, so it has gained an electron by going into CO, where its formal charge is -1.