Explain why CO_(3^(2-) ion cannot be represented by a single Lewis structure. How can it be best represented?

Explain why CO_(3^(2-) ion cannot be represented by a single Lewis str

1.	Explain why CO_(3^(2-) ion cannot be represented by a single Lewis structure. How can it be best represented?
Answer» Solution :A single LEWIS structure of `CO_(3)^(2-)` ion cannot explain all the PROPERTIES of this ion. It can be REPRESENTED as a resonance hybrid of the following structures If, it were represented only by one structure, there should be two types of bonds, i.e., C = Odouble bond and C - O single bonds but ACTUALLY all bonds are found to be identical with same bond LENGTH and same bond strength.