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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

Which of the following pairs share both isoelectronicity and isostructural characteristics? NO3\text{NO}_3^-, CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}, ClO3\text{ClO}_3^-, SO3\text{SO}_3

A

NO3\text{NO}_3^-, CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}

B

SO3\text{SO}_3, NO3\text{NO}_3^-

C

ClO3\text{ClO}_3^-, CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}

D

CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}, ClO3\text{ClO}_3^-

Step-by-Step Solution

Isoelectronic species are those that possess the same number of total electrons. Let's calculate the total number of electrons for the given species:

  • NO3\text{NO}_3^-: 7 (from N)+3×8 (from O)+1 (from negative charge)=327 \text{ (from N)} + 3 \times 8 \text{ (from O)} + 1 \text{ (from negative charge)} = 32 electrons.
  • CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}: 6 (from C)+3×8 (from O)+2 (from negative charge)=326 \text{ (from C)} + 3 \times 8 \text{ (from O)} + 2 \text{ (from negative charge)} = 32 electrons.
  • ClO3\text{ClO}_3^-: 17 (from Cl)+3×8 (from O)+1 (from negative charge)=4217 \text{ (from Cl)} + 3 \times 8 \text{ (from O)} + 1 \text{ (from negative charge)} = 42 electrons.
  • SO3\text{SO}_3: 16 (from S)+3×8 (from O)=4016 \text{ (from S)} + 3 \times 8 \text{ (from O)} = 40 electrons.

Thus, NO3\text{NO}_3^- and CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-} are isoelectronic.

Next, we determine their structures using VSEPR theory:

  • In NO3\text{NO}_3^-, the central nitrogen atom has 5 valence electrons + 1 (from charge) = 6 electrons available for bonding. It forms 3 σ\sigma bonds with oxygen atoms (double bonds do not affect geometry) and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3 (sp2sp^2 hybridised), resulting in a trigonal planar geometry.
  • In CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-}, the central carbon atom has 4 valence electrons + 2 (from charge) = 6 electrons. It also forms 3 σ\sigma bonds and has 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3 (sp2sp^2 hybridised), resulting in a trigonal planar geometry.

Since both have 32 electrons and a trigonal planar structure, NO3\text{NO}_3^- and CO32\text{CO}_3^{2-} are isoelectronic and isostructural.

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