Which statement concerning any homonuclear diatomic molecule and its 1- ion must be true? A)X₂ must be more stable than X₂^-. B)X₂ must be less stable than X₂^-. C)X₂^- must be paramagnetic and X₂ must be diamagnetic. D)X₂^- must be paramagnetic and X₂ may be paramagnetic or diamagnetic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Any homonuclear diatomic molecule has all of its electrons paired, making it diamagnetic. When it gains an electron to become the 1- ion, it will have an unpaired electron in the antibonding orbital, making it paramagnetic. Therefore, X₂^- must be paramagnetic and X₂ may be paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Choice A and B do not make sense since adding an electron can either stabilize or destabilize the molecule, depending on the specific case. Choice C is incorrect since homonuclear diatomic molecules are always diamagnetic.

Which Statement Concerning Any Homonuclear Diatomic Molecule and Its 1-