[ReVeR]

Hello.
I wanna know how to do oxidation number on something like KCN.
Basicly i figured that since CN is -1, and it got triple bond then N would be -3, C would be +2, and then K would have to be +1.
But how is something like that expressed in a Lewis diagram?
Thx

[Borek]

The problem is, ON are not the best way to describe real world.

K⁺ can be assigned ON of +1. As for CN^- - as long as it is not necessary try to avoid using ON assigned to C or N, just treat CN^- as whole group. If you really really have to do something about CN^- oxidation or reduction better try other methods of redox equation balancing. Google for tutorial of half-reaction method.

[ReVeR]

i know how to balance them but i need to draw a lweis diagram of KCN and i donno how to do the connections....
any ideas?

[Borek]

If it helps - CN^- is isoelectronic with N₂.

[ReVeR]

How does that help me draw a lewis diagram?I can get the correct oxidataion number no problem, but i got no idea how a dot digram would look like.

[Donaldson Tan]

K⁺ [:C=N:]^-