ALEKS Placement Chemistry Practice Exam 2026 - Free Chemistry Placement Practice Questions and Study Guide

The cyanate ion is represented by the formula OCN(-). This ion consists of a carbon atom (C) bonded to a nitrogen atom (N), which is further bonded to an oxygen atom (O). The negative charge indicates that there is an extra electron associated with the ion, which is common in many polyatomic ions. In this case, the cyanate ion is formed when carbon is covalently bonded to nitrogen and has a single bond to oxygen, resulting in the overall anionic character.

Understanding the structure of cyanate is crucial. The carbon is the central atom, and it forms bonds with both nitrogen and oxygen. The cyanate ion can also be viewed in the context of its potential resonance structures, where the distribution of electrons can be represented differently while retaining the same connectivity. The presence of three different atoms in this arrangement—carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen—along with the negative charge, clearly identifies it as the cyanate ion.

The other given choices do not represent the cyanate ion. For instance, the formula CN(-) refers to the cyanide ion, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom and has a negative charge, indicating it lacks an oxygen atom entirely. The SCN(-