Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Hydrogen Isocyanide (HNC) Have the Same

question 30

Multiple Choice

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and hydrogen isocyanide (HNC) have the same elemental composition except H is bonded to carbon in one and to nitrogen in the other. Which statement regarding the Lewis structures of these molecules is not correct?

• A) Both have 10 valence electrons.
• B) The formal charges are zero for all the atoms in only one of these molecules.
• C) The most electronegative element has a formal charge of -1 in one of these molecules.
• D) The Lewis structures predict that HCN is the more stable molecule.
• E) The formal charges sum to zero in both molecules.

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