Question

The nature of CO is:
A.Acidic
B.Basic
C.Amphoteric
D.Neutral

Answer 1

The chemical compound shown in the question is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon in presence of oxygen, while complete combustion of carbon in presence of oxygen would give carbon dioxide.

Complete answer:
Carbon monoxide is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon with oxygen. Due to incomplete combustion of carbon, it makes compounds with only one oxygen. Thus, complete combustion of carbon with oxygen forms carbon dioxide.
The neutral nature of carbon monoxide can be observed or tested by the reaction of carbon monoxide ( $CO$ ) with water. It does not show any signs of hydrogen ions ( ${{H}^{+}}$ ) or hydronium ions ( $O{{H}^{-}}$ ), thus it is a neutral oxide.
Carbon monoxide comes under neutral oxide amongst the four types of oxides namely, acidic oxides, basic oxides, amphoteric oxides and neutral oxides. Neutral oxides do not produce any hydrogen or hydronium ions when reacted with water. Thus, carbon monoxide is a neutral oxide.
Another reason for carbon monoxide being neutral could be the covalent bond between carbon and oxygen atoms, as in covalent bonding the electrons are not transferred but only shared.
The correct answer to this question is option D, the nature of carbon monoxide is neutral. It does not react with either base or acid to form a neutral solution.

Note:
Even though carbon monoxide ( $CO$ ) is neutral in nature, it is very poisonous for human beings. Its exposure can cause damage to our tissues, if inhaled it can also cause disruption in oxygen supply in our blood. It can also cause brain damage which is not reversible or which cannot be cured.