Total number of molecules/species from the following which will be paramagnetic is . O2, O2+, O2-, NO, NO2, CO, K2[NiCl4], [Co(NH3)6]Cl3, K2[Ni(CN)4]
Answer
6
Solution
Molecules and ions (MO theory / odd electrons):
O2 (16 e-): *2px1 *2py1 2 unpaired paramagnetic
O2+ (15 e-): *2p1 1 unpaired paramagnetic
O2- (17 e-): *2p3 1 unpaired paramagnetic
NO (15 e-, odd) 1 unpaired paramagnetic
NO2 (23 e-, odd-electron molecule) paramagnetic
CO (14 e-, isoelectronic with N2) all paired diamagnetic
Complexes:
K2[NiCl4]: Ni2+ (3d8), Cl- weak field, sp3 (tetrahedral) 2 unpaired paramagnetic
[Co(NH3)6]Cl3: Co3+ (3d6), NH3 pairs the electrons, d2sp3, t2g6eg0 diamagnetic
K2[Ni(CN)4]: Ni2+ (3d8), CN- strong field, dsp2 (square planar) diamagnetic
Paramagnetic: O2, O2+, O2-, NO, NO2, K2[NiCl4] = 6
Answer: 6