Dicarbon monoxide, c2o, is found in dust clouds in space. analysis of it shows that the sequence of atoms in this molecule is c–c–o. all bonds are double bonds and there are no unpaired electrons. how many lone pairs of electrons are present in a molecule of c2o?

Three

Explanation:

Each C atom supplies four valence electrons and each O atom supplies six, for a total of 14 valence electrons.

If there are two double bonds (eight bonding electrons), there must be six nonbonding electrons (i.e., three lone pairs).

The Lewis structure of C₂O is :C=C=Ö: