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How many unpaired electrons are present in superoxide ion?

How many unpaired electrons are present in superoxide ion?

Grade:12

6 Answers

Umakant biswal
5349 Points
7 years ago
dear suraj 
there is only 1 unpair electron present in superoxide ion . 
thus it have -1 charge assigned to it . 
HOPE IT CLEARS 
REGARDS 
Suraj Singh
148 Points
7 years ago
It`s unfortunately wrong... NOt less than 100 char
DR STRANGE
212 Points
7 years ago
Hi Suraj,
              first you need to understand what is superoxide ion
              it is O2- 
              in oxygen atom there are 6 electrons in the outermost shell
               in oxygen molecule O2 ,  two elcetrons are shared (one electron from each atom) ,wbu
 remaining 5 electrons? two pairs are formed and one unpaired electron in both atoms hence two unpaired electrons.
in case of superoxide ion there is one more electron added which gets paired with one the unpaired electrons of  O2 . So finally we have one unpaired electron in superoxide ion.
i tried my best to explain , please ask if you still have doubt
please aprrove if you are satisfied :)
Umakant biswal
5349 Points
7 years ago
dear suraj 
superoxide ion have 1 unpair electron , thats fully correct , if u can refer to the molecular orbital theory configuration , then u can see , only 1 unpair electron are there , 
rest electron are paired . 
KINDLY CHECK THE COURCE OF YOUR ANSWER 
ALL THE BEST 
REGARDS 
Suraj Singh
148 Points
7 years ago
But the answer is 3.. As in molecular orbital theory the unpaired electrons in oxygen molecule is 2.. It accepts 1 electron to form superoxide ion.. That electron instead of pairing with 2 HOMO unpaired electrons it goes in LUMO so the total number of unpaired electrons is 3.... As given in answer
Suraj Singh
148 Points
7 years ago
And now I am agree with my solution.. You should check it once.... .. And thanq for the concern... .....

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