Which of the following statements correctly describes the Lewis dot structure of the neutral compound CH3NO?

• A. The carbon atom forms a double bond with the oxygen atom, and the nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydrogens.
• B. The nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydrogens and the oxygen atom is bonded to the carbon atom with a single bond.
• C. The nitrogen atom forms a double bond with the oxygen atom, and the carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogens and the nitrogen.
• D. The oxygen atom is bonded to three hydrogens, and the carbon atom is bonded to the nitrogen atom with a triple bond.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the total number of valence electrons available in the molecule CH3NO by summing the valence electrons of each atom: Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O).
2. Determine the central atom, which is usually the least electronegative atom that can form multiple bonds; in this case, carbon is typically the central atom bonded to hydrogens and nitrogen.
3. Arrange the atoms to satisfy the typical bonding patterns: carbon forms four bonds, hydrogen forms one bond, nitrogen typically forms three bonds, and oxygen typically forms two bonds with possible double bonds.
4. Draw single bonds between carbon and the three hydrogens, and between carbon and nitrogen. Then, consider the bonding between nitrogen and oxygen, checking if a double bond is needed to satisfy the octet rule for nitrogen and oxygen.
5. Assign lone pairs to oxygen and nitrogen to complete their octets, and verify that the total number of electrons used matches the total valence electrons calculated initially, ensuring the Lewis structure is neutral and follows the octet rule.