To find:
the atom most likely to have unpaired electron in each species: (a) SO+ (b) NO (c) CN (d) OH
Answer to Problem 4.141QA
Solution:
Sr. no. | Species | Atom have unpaired electron |
(a) | SO+ | S |
(b) | NO | N |
(c) | CN | C |
(d) | OH | O |
Explanation of Solution
We are drawing Lewis structure of all species. The number of valence electrons are distributed in such a way that octet of most electronegative atom in each species will be satisfied. Thus the least electronegative atom will get unpaired electron.
(a) SO+:
As Oxygen is more electronegative than Sulfur. Oxygen takes 6 electrons to complete, thus 5 electrons remained with Sulfur. They are distributed as 2 paired and 1 unpaired electron.
(b) NO:
As Oxygen is more electronegative than Nitrogen. Oxygen takes 6 electrons to complete octet, thus 5 electrons remained with Nitrogen. They are distributed as 2 paired and 1 unpaired electron.
(c) CN:
As N is more electronegative than Carbon. Nitrogen takes 6 electrons to complete octet, thus 3 electrons remained with Carbon. They are distributed as 1 paired and 1 unpaired electron.
(d) OH:
Hydrogen tend to complete its octet, therefore, unpaired electron goes with Oxygen atom.
Conclusion:
Species | Atom have unpaired electron | |
(a) | SO+ | S |
(b) | NO | N |
(c) | CN | C |
(d) | OH | O |
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