Determine the correct increasing order of the bond length among carbon monoxide (), carbonate ion () — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Bond length is inversely proportional to bond order. The bond order of $CO$ is $3$, $CO_2$ is $2$, and $CO_3^{2-}$ is $\frac{4}{3} = 1.33$ (due to resonance of 4 bonds over 3 oxygen atoms). Thus, the bond length order is $CO < CO_2 < CO_3^{2-}$.