Formal charges do not indicate the real charge separation within a molecule. Explain.
Dear Student,
Formal charge is assigned to the Lewis structure of an atom in a molecule which denotes the electronic charge left on an atom after the difference of bonding and non-bonding electrons from the valence electrons.
Formal charge also describes the stability of structure of a molecule. The structure which have least formal charge on its atom are more stable.
As the Lewis structures are the hypothetical structures given to assign the possible structure to the compound. As overall the compound is neutral having no charge but its resonating structure possesses charge due to delocalization of π electrons and hence it do have the charge. This charge is temporary and are represented by formal charge.
e.g - SO2 have the neutral structure as :
This is the lewis structure showing formal charge and these are temporary.
Hence the formal charges are not the real charges.
Regards.
Formal charge is assigned to the Lewis structure of an atom in a molecule which denotes the electronic charge left on an atom after the difference of bonding and non-bonding electrons from the valence electrons.
Formal charge also describes the stability of structure of a molecule. The structure which have least formal charge on its atom are more stable.
As the Lewis structures are the hypothetical structures given to assign the possible structure to the compound. As overall the compound is neutral having no charge but its resonating structure possesses charge due to delocalization of π electrons and hence it do have the charge. This charge is temporary and are represented by formal charge.
e.g - SO2 have the neutral structure as :
This is the lewis structure showing formal charge and these are temporary.
Hence the formal charges are not the real charges.
Regards.