In which species, X—O bond order is 1.5 and contains p\pi - d\pi bond(s). — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify the chemical formulas and geometries: nitrite is NO2^- and nitrile (e.g. organic nitriles R-C≡N or nitryl/nitrile cation NO2^+). Step 2: In NO2^-, Nitrogen has 2 bond pairs and 1 lone pair, leading to a bent (angular) shape. For a nitrile group (R-C≡N) or the nitryl/nitrile cation (NO2^+), the hybridization is sp, giving a linear geometry. Step 3: Consequently, the shapes are angular (bent) and linear respectively, corresponding to option (b).