Which of the following species contains equal number of σ and π bonds?
A
HCO3−
B
XeO4
C
(CN)2
D
CH2(CN)2
Step-by-Step Solution
Let us calculate the number of σ and π bonds in each species:
HCO3−: The bicarbonate ion has the structure HO-C(=O)O−. It contains 4σ bonds (one C-OH, one C-O−, one C=O, and one O-H) and 1π bond (in the C=O double bond).
XeO4: In Xenon tetroxide, the central Xenon atom is sp3 hybridised and forms four double bonds with four oxygen atoms. Each double bond consists of 1σ and 1π bond. Thus, there are 4σ bonds and 4π bonds in total.
(CN)2: Cyanogen (N≡C-C≡N) contains 3σ bonds (one C-C and two C-N) and 4π bonds (two in each C≡N triple bond).
CH2(CN)2: Malononitrile (NC-CH2-CN) contains 6σ bonds (two C-C, two C-H, and two C-N) and 4π bonds.
Therefore, XeO4 is the only species that has an equal number of σ and π bonds.
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