JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3cb147
Which of the following species gains stability (its bond order increases) when it accepts one additional electron?
ANX2
BFX2
CCX2
DOX2
Answer: C
In CX2 the added electron goes into the bonding σ2pz orbital, raising bond order from 2 to 2.5. In NX2, OX2 and FX2 the added electron enters an antibonding orbital (π∗2p or σ∗2p), lowering the bond order.