Which of the following pairs of ions is isoelectronic and isostructural?
- CO32-, NO3-
- ClO3-, CO32-
- SO32-, NO3-
- ClO3-, SO32-
Answer
(1) CO32-, NO3-, (4) ClO3-, SO32-
Solution
Total electrons:
CO32-=6+3(8)+2=32 ; NO3-=7+3(8)+1=32
ClO3-=17+3(8)+1=42 ; SO32-=16+3(8)+2=42
Shapes (VSEPR):
CO32- and NO3- ⇒ 3 bond pairs, no lone pair, sp2 ⇒ both trigonal planar.
ClO3- and SO32- ⇒ 3 bond pairs + 1 lone pair, sp3 ⇒ both trigonal pyramidal.
Pairs (2) and (3) have 32 and 42 electrons ⇒ not isoelectronic.
∴ Pairs (1) and (4) are isoelectronic as well as isostructural.
Answer: (1), (4)