Q.

Which of the following molecules(s) show/s paramagnetic behavior                       [2025]

(A)  O2
(B)  N2
(C)  F2
(D)  S2
(E)  Cl2

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1 B only  
2 A and C only  
3 A and E only  
4 A and D only  

Ans.

(4)

Molecule Electronic Configuration Number of Unpaired Electrons Magnetic Nature
O2 σ1s2, σ*1s2, σ2s2, σ*2s2, σ2pz2, π2px2, π2py2, π*2px1, π*2py1 2 Paramagnetic
N2 σ1s2, σ*1s2, σ2s2, σ*2s2, π2px2, π2py2, σ2pz2 0 Diamagnetic
F2 σ1s2, σ*1s2, σ2s2, σ*2s2, σ2pz2, π2px2, π2py2, π*2px2, π*2py2 0 Diamagnetic
S2 KK, LL, σ3s2, σ*3s2, σ3pz2, π3px2, π3py2, π*3px1, π*3py1 2 Paramagnetic
Cl2 KK, LL, σ3s2, σ*3s2, σ3pz2, π3px2, π3py2, π*3px2, π*3py2 0 Diamagnetic