Question

Decreasing order of stability of $O_2, O^-_2, O_2^+ $ and $ O_2^{2-}$ is :

• A. $O_2 > O_2^+ > O_2^{2-} > O_2^- $
• B. $O^-_2 > O_2^{2-} > O_2^{+} > O_2 $
• C. $O_2^+ > O_2 > O_2^- > O_2^{2-} $
• D. $O_2^{2-} > O_2^- > O_2 > O_2^+ $

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Given species : $O_2, O_2{^{-1} , O_2{^{+1}} , O_2{^{2-}}}$
Total number of electrons
$O_2 -> 16e^{-}$
$O_{2}^{-1} -> 17e^{-}$
$O_2^{+1} -> 15e^{-}$
$O_{2}^{2-} -> 18 e^{-} $