Question Details

Identify the correct answer.

Options

A

Three resonance structures can be drawn for ozone

B

BF3 has non-zero dipole moment

C

Dipole moment of NF3 is greater than that of NH3

D

Three canonical forms can be drawn for  C O 3 2 i o n

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Correct Answer :

Option D

Three canonical forms can be drawn for  C O 3 2 i o n

Three canonical forms can be drawn for CO32 ion

Solution :

The correct option is: Three canonical forms can be drawn for CO32 ion.

Let's evaluate each option step-by-step to understand why this statement is correct and the others are incorrect:
1. Resonance structures of Ozone (O3):
Ozone has only two major canonical (resonance) structures that contribute significantly to its resonance hybrid, not three. Therefore, the first statement is incorrect.

2. Dipole moment of Boron Trifluoride (BF3):
BF3 has a symmetric trigonal planar geometry. The individual polar B-F bond dipoles point outwards at angles of 120° relative to each other, canceling each other out completely. Consequently, the net dipole moment of BF3 is zero. Therefore, the second statement is incorrect.

3. Dipole moments of NF3 vs. NH3:
In ammonia (NH3), the nitrogen atom is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the N-H bond dipoles point towards nitrogen. The lone pair on nitrogen also points in a similar upward direction. The bond dipoles reinforce the lone pair dipole, resulting in a high net dipole moment. In nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), fluorine is more electronegative than nitrogen, so the N-F bond dipoles point away from nitrogen, opposing the lone pair dipole. This opposing action significantly reduces the net dipole moment of NF3 compared to NH3. Hence, the third statement is incorrect.

4. Canonical structures of the Carbonate ion (CO32):
The carbonate ion has a central carbon atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. The structure consists of one double bond (C=O) and two single bonds (C-O-) containing negative formal charges. Due to conjugation, the double bond can be shared between the carbon and any of the three oxygen atoms:
- Form 1: The double bond is localized between carbon and oxygen A, with single bonds to oxygens B and C.
- Form 2: The double bond is localized between carbon and oxygen B, with single bonds to oxygens A and C.
- Form 3: The double bond is localized between carbon and oxygen C, with single bonds to oxygens A and B.
These represent exactly three equivalent canonical structures that describe the resonance hybrid of the carbonate ion. Thus, this statement is correct.

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