Resonance Structures for CO (Carbon monoxide)

There are several resonance structures  for CO (Carbon monoxide). We start with a valid Lewis structure and then follow these general rules.

For the CO resonance structure there is one major structure but two other resonance structures contribute as well.   When drawing the Lewis Structure for CO, at the general chemistry level you are expected to draw the structure with the triple bond since is obeys the Octet Rule.

ChemTeam Page on CO Resonance Structures:
https://www.chemteam.info/Bonding/Res...

Note:
- Resonance forms must be valid Lewis structures.
- Maintain the same number of valence electrons.
- Atoms don’t move. Only electrons move. - Only move electrons in lone pairs or pi bonds (found in double and triple bonds).
- Maintain the same number of lone pairs.

Remember:
- Resonance structures are necessary to show how electrons are distributed in chemical bonds in a molecule.
- Understand the molecule isn't flipping back and forth between structures! It's an average of the resonance structures.
- The double arrow symbol drawn between resonance structures does not mean equilibrium or any sort of change. It only shows that there is more than one way to draw the structure. It's not a very good choice of symbols, really.


Resonance structures are also called resonance forms, resonance contributors, and sometimes resonance canonicals. More chemistry help at http://www.Breslyn.org.