Question

which form of sulphur shows paramagnetic behaviour and why?

Answer 1

S2 (diatomic Sulphur), sulphur exists as S2 in vapor phase which is paramagnetic.

In vapour state, sulphur partly exists as S2 molecule which has 2 unpaired electrons. Let us see how doe it happen.

The electronic configuration of sulphur atom is 1s2 2s2 2p63s2 3p4. Each sulphur atom has 16 electrons, hence, in S2molecule there are 32 electrons. The electronic configuration of S2 molecule, will be

σ1s2 < σ*1s2 < σ2s2 < σ*2s2<σ2pz2 <(π2px2= π2py2)< (π*2px2= π*2py2)< σ*2pz2 < σ3s2 <  σ*3s2 < σ3pz2<(π3px2= π3py2)< (π*3px1= π*3py1)

 

In vapour phase sulphur exists as S2 molecule and S2molecule has two unpaired electrons in the antibonding 3p orbital and hence exhibit paramagnetism.

Answer 2

Answer:

in the antibonding configuration of S2 form of sulfur contain 2 unpaired electrons. so it behaves like paramagentic