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

hi dear.....

your answer is option (b) N

Here, 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

hope it helps you......

Answer 2

Answer: Option (c) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

An ion which contains a resonance delocalized negative charge over two unlike atoms is known as an ambident nucleophile or ambident ion.

For example, in $CN^{-}$ ion the negative charge is present in both carbon and nitrogen atom.

Since, $CN^{-}$ is an ambident ion and both carbon and nitrogen atoms are unlike. Hence, the negative charge is present in both C and N.

Thus, we can conclude that in the cyanide ion, the formal negative charge is on both C and N.