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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3pt218

Gallium dichloride, $GaCl X_{2}$ , is diamagnetic. This is best explained by describing it as

A $Ga X^{2 +}$ ions with paired electrons
B $Ga X^{+} [GaCl X_{4}] X^{-}$ , containing Ga(I) and Ga(III)
C $Ga X^{3 +} [GaCl X_{2}] X^{3 -}$
Da covalent molecule with a $Ga = Ga$ double bond

Answer: B

An oxidation state of

+ 2

for gallium would leave one unpaired

4 s^{1}

electron and give paramagnetism. Experimentally the compound is diamagnetic, so the formal

+ 2

is an average of

+ 1

and

+ 3

:

Ga X^{+} [GaCl X_{4}] X^{-}

, in which both states are those typical of group 13.

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