Formal charge

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004594",
  "term": "Formal charge",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A calculated charge assigned to an atom within a molecule by assuming that bonding electrons are divided equally between the bonded atoms. The calculation compares an atom's valence electron count in its free state to the number of electrons assigned to it in a Lewis structure, counting all non-bonding electrons and half of the bonding electrons. The sum of all formal charges in an ion must equal the ion's overall charge.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2022, 94, 353. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 421 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-1010)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/formal-charge/"
}