Calculate expression for diatomic molecules.
Where Total number of singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in
Total number of singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in
Total number of

Question

Calculate expression $(x + y + z)$ for diatomic molecules.
Where $x =$ Total number of singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in $O_2$
$y =$ Total number of singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in $B_2$
$z =$ Total number of singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) in $NO$

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 5

**SOLUTION:**
$X = 2$ (FOR $O_2$)
$Y = 2$ (FOR $B_2$)
$Z = 1$ (FOR $NO$)
$X + Y + Z = 2 + 2 + 1 = 5$.. Step 1: Identify the ionic constituents of each compound: KO2 is composed of K^+ and the superoxide ion O2^-; KAlO2 is composed of K^+, Al^3+, and the meta-aluminate ion AlO2^-; CaO2 is composed of Ca^2+ and the peroxide ion O2^2-. Step 2: Determine the electronic structures of the anions/cations. Peroxide (O2^2-) has 18 electrons (all paired). AlO2^- and NO2^+ are even-electron closed-shell species (all paired). Step 3: Superoxide (O2^-) has 17 valence electrons, with an odd number of electrons and one unpaired electron in its antibonding pi* molecular orbital. Thus, an unpaired electron is present only in KO2, matching option (c).

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this