Why is the cyanide ion negatively charged?

The cyanide is C N − A carbon atom has 4 valance electrons and nitrogen has 5. Below is a Lewis-dot-structure of cyanide. :N≡C. The carbon atom is still one electron short of having a full octet and so it will seize another electron from almost anything, making the cyanide ion negative and whatever it took the electron from it now positive.

Answered by teddydebevoise | 2024-06-10

Cyanide ions are negatively charged because they have gained an extra electron. Cyanide poisoning inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, leading to a decrease in ATP synthesis and a decrease in the pH of the intermembrane space. ;

Answered by Qwpanda | 2024-06-18

The cyanide ion (CN^{-}) is negatively charged due to the total of 10 valence electrons it possesses: 4 from carbon and 5 from nitrogen, plus one additional electron. This extra electron results in more electrons than protons, creating a -1 charge. Furthermore, the Lewis structure illustrates a stable configuration where carbon forms a triple bond with nitrogen, leading to the negative charge of the ion.
;

Answered by teddydebevoise | 2024-11-02