Potassium superoxide () is a yellow-orange solid. What is the fundamental molecular orbital reason for its paramagnetic behavior?

Question

Potassium superoxide ($KO_2$) is a yellow-orange solid. What is the fundamental molecular orbital reason for its paramagnetic behavior?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. The superoxide ion () has 17 valence electrons. According to Molecular Orbital Theory, the last electron enters the antibonding molecular orbital, leaving exactly one unpaired electron, which makes the compound paramagnetic.

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