Question

Write the Lewis dot structure of $CO$ molecule.

Answer 1

Step-1. Valence electrons

Count the total number of valence electrons of carbon and oxygen atom. The outer (valence) shell configuration of carbon and oxygen atoms are: $2s^{2}2p^2$ and $2s^{2}2p^4$ respectively.

The valence electrons available are $4+6=10.$

Step 2: Skeletal structure

The skeletal structure of $CO$ is written as$:CO$

Step 3: Octet completion
Draw a single bond (one shared electron pair between $C$ and $O$ and complete the octet and the remaining two electrons are the lone pair on $C.$

This does not complete the octet of carbon and hence we have to resort to multiple bonding (in this case a triple bond) between $C$ and $O$ atoms. This satisfies the octet rule condition for both atoms.



Final Answer: