Question

a. Draw resonance contributors for the following species, showing all the lone pairs:

1.CH₂N₂ 2. N₂O 3. NO₂^-

b. For each species, indicate the most stable resonance contributor.

Short answer

1.

2.

More stable

3.

Both are equally stable

Step-by-step solution

Resonance structures

1.

2.

3.

Final answer

1.

More stable because negative charge is on nitrogen rather than carbon.

2.

More stable because negative charge is on oxygen rather than nitrogen.

3.

Both are equally stable because in both oxygen has negative charge.