Which of the following are isoelectronic and isostructural? NO3^-, CO3^2-, ClO3^-, SO3 — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Calculate the total number of valence electrons for each species to check if they are isoelectronic: NO3^- has 5 + 3*6 + 1 = 24; CO3^2- has 4 + 3*6 + 2 = 24. Step 2: Check their geometries using VSEPR theory: both NO3^- and CO3^2- have 3 bonding groups and 0 lone pairs on the central atom. Step 3: Since both have 24 valence electrons and a trigonal planar shape, they are isoelectronic and isostructural.