Consider the formate ion, hco2−, which is the anion formed when formic acid loses an h+ ion. the h and the two o atoms are bonded to the central c atom.

The lewis structure of the formate ion is shown in the attached picture.

Explanation:

The formate ion has 1 atom of Hydrogen, 1 atom of Carbon and 3 atoms of Oxygen.

The total amount of electrons involved in the structure are:

1 e⁻ (from Hydrogen) + 4 e⁻ (from Carbon) + 2 × (6 e⁻) (from Oxygen) + 1 e⁻ (ion's charge)= 18 e⁻

The central atom is C. The best Lewis structure has a double bond on one oxygen and the negative charge on the other oxygen.

The structure is shown in the attached picture.

the answer is the