WHY IS KO2 PARAMAGNETIC????
Answers
Answered by
17
Potassium superoxide is paramagnetic. The simple explanation is that with a formula of O2-2, there are simply an odd number of electrons in the anion (6 e- + 6 e- + 1 e- = 13 e-), hence it is paramagnetic. From a molecular orbital explanation, the peroxide ion has a molecular orbital configuration of (sigma)s2(sigma*)s2 (sigma)p4 (pi)43 (pi*)3. The unpaired electron in the pi* orbital accounts for the paramagnetic behavior or potassium superoxide. This also accounts for the yellow color of the substance. In order to demonstrate the paramagnetism of potassium superoxide, we suspended a test tube of the substance from a thread as shown below. When we bring a neodymium magnet up close to the material, there is a noticeable attraction towards the magnet. The small picture that below these two is a composite picture of the tube with and without the magnet present.
Answered by
18
KO2 is the formula paramagnetic and because potassium is +1, the superoxide has a charge of -1. Potassium superoxide has a number of remarkable physical and chemical properties. The unpaired electron in the pi+ orbital accounts for the paramagnetic behaviour or potassium superoxide.
Similar questions