What is the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in the nitrite ion?
A. 0
B. +1
C. -1
D. None of the above
A
Nitrite exists as a resonance of two structures. In one structure, the nitrogen has a single bond with one oxygen and a double bond with the other. In the other structure, the double bond is with the first oxygen. In both structures, however, the formal charge on the nitrogen is 0.