Identify the correct answer.
- Three resonance structures can be drawn for ozone
- BF3 has non-zero dipole moment
- Dipole moment of NF3 is greater than that of NH3
- Three canonical forms can be drawn for CO32- ion
Answer
(4) Three canonical forms can be drawn for CO32- ion
Solution
(1) Ozone has only two resonance structures — incorrect.
(2) BF3 is trigonal planar and symmetrical, so its dipole moment is zero — incorrect.
(3) In NH3 the bond moments and the lone-pair moment act in the same direction, while in NF3 they oppose each other; (NH3) = 1.47 D > (NF3) = 0.23 D — incorrect.
(4) CO32- has three equivalent canonical forms (the C=O double bond on each of the three O atoms) — correct.
Answer: (4)