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NEET CHEMISTRYOrganic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques Easy

Question

Which one of the following statements is true about the structure of CO32CO_3^{2-} ion?

A

It can be explained by considering sp3sp^3 hybridisation.

B

Out of the three COC–O bonds, two are longer and one is shorter.

C

It has three sigma and three π\pi-bonds.

D

All three COC–O bonds are equal in length with a bond order in between 1 and 2.

Step-by-Step Solution

According to the sources, a single Lewis structure for the carbonate ion (CO32CO_3^{2-}), showing one double bond and two single bonds, is inadequate because experimental data proves that all three carbon-to-oxygen bonds are equivalent . This equivalence is explained by resonance, where the ion is a hybrid of three canonical forms . Consequently, all three bonds have the same length, which is intermediate between a single and a double bond, resulting in a bond order between 1 and 2 (specifically 1.33) . Furthermore, the central carbon atom in the carbonate ion is sp2sp^2 hybridised to maintain its trigonal planar geometry, not sp3sp^3 . The structure contains three sigma (σ\sigma ) bonds and one delocalised \pi (π\pi ) bond, rather than three separate π\pi -bonds .

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques . Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

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