JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3pn191
In potassium superoxide, KOX2, the oxidation state of oxygen and its magnetic behaviour are
A−1 and diamagnetic
B−21 and diamagnetic
C−21 and paramagnetic
D−1 and paramagnetic
Answer: C
KOX2 contains the superoxide ion OX2X−, so each O is at −1/2. OX2X− has 17 valence electrons, one unpaired, so it is paramagnetic (peroxide OX2X2− in NaX2OX2 is diamagnetic).