The total number of species from the following in which one unpaired electron is present, is . N2, O2, C2-, O2-, O22-, H2+, CN-, He2+
Answer
4
Solution
Using MO theory (electrons in brackets):
N2 (14): all paired, 0; CN- (14): 0; O22- (18): 0
O2 (16): 2px1 2py1, so 2 unpaired
C2- (13): 2pz1, 1; O2- (17): 2p3, 1
H2+ (1): 1s1, 1; He2+ (3): 1s1, 1
Hence 4 species (C2-, O2-, H2+, He2+).
Answer: 4