Among the following species, identify the isostructural pairs:
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Quick Answer
Option C
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— To identify isostructural pairs, we need to determine the geometry of each species.Step-by-step solution
1AnswerC·
To identify isostructural pairs, we need to determine the geometry of each species. Isostructural species have the same geometry and hybridization.
- : Nitrogen (N) is the central atom. It has 5 valence electrons. Three F atoms form single bonds. N has one lone pair. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4. Hybridization is . Geometry is trigonal pyramidal.
- : Nitrogen (N) is the central atom. It has 5 valence electrons. Three O atoms are bonded. One O is double-bonded, and two are single-bonded (resonance structures exist). The negative charge is delocalized. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs, considering resonance) + 0 (lone pairs) = 3. Hybridization is . Geometry is trigonal planar.
- : Boron (B) is the central atom. It has 3 valence electrons. Three F atoms form single bonds. B has no lone pairs. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 0 (lone pairs) = 3. Hybridization is . Geometry is trigonal planar.
- : Oxygen (O) is the central atom. It has 6 valence electrons. Three H atoms form single bonds. The positive charge means O has lost one electron, so it effectively has 5 valence electrons for bonding. O has one lone pair. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4. Hybridization is . Geometry is trigonal pyramidal.
- : Nitrogen (N) is the central atom. It has 5 valence electrons. Three H atoms form single bonds. N has one lone pair. Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4. Hybridization is . Geometry is trigonal pyramidal.
Based on the geometries:
- Trigonal pyramidal: , ,
- Trigonal planar: ,
Therefore, the isostructural pairs are (both trigonal pyramidal) and (both trigonal planar).
Option Analysis:
- A) and : Incorrect. is trigonal pyramidal, is trigonal planar. is trigonal planar, is trigonal pyramidal.
- B) and : Incorrect. is trigonal pyramidal, is trigonal planar.
- C) and : Correct. Both pairs have the same geometry.
- D) and : Incorrect. While is a correct pair, is trigonal pyramidal and is trigonal planar, so is not an isostructural pair.
Correct Answer: (C)
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