N anion and thanks

[skmackie]

Why can't an N anion be made when C and O can?

Thanks for the response on colorful compounds.

Sheryl

[skmackie]

What I meant to say was, why can't an N ion with a minus one charge happen when oxygen and carbon anions, neighbors of N, can have a minus one charge? It has to do with electron configuration but I can't figure it out.

Sheryl

[charco]

oxygen and carbon cannot form 1 minus ions

[skmackie]

According to a question I must answer, C and O anions with a negative charge of minus one have been observed. Maybe they do not occur in nature. I need to know why it is not possible to have or to make an N ion with a single negative charge but it is for O and C. It has to do with electron configuration.

The exact question is:
"Why has it not been possible to date to make a N- ion when C- and O- have been observed? Explain it terms of electron configuration of the atoms mentioned."

I've spent hours looking for this on the internet and am not getting anywhere with it. Any help appreciated.

Sheryl