Question:

Correct statement about alkali metal oxides is :

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Compare the magnetic nature of O2-, O22- and O2- using their electronic configurations.
Updated On: Oct 31, 2026
  • peroxides are colored.
  • superoxides are paramagnetic.
  • oxides are paramagnetic.
  • peroxides are both colored and paramagnetic.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Normal oxides contain O2- (no unpaired electrons): diamagnetic. So option (C) is wrong.
Step 2: Peroxides contain O22- (\(\sigma^2\pi^4\pi^{*4}\)): all electrons paired, diamagnetic and colourless/white (Na2O2 is pale yellow only from traces of superoxide). So (A) and (D) are wrong.
Step 3: Superoxides contain O2- with 17 electrons: one unpaired electron in \(\pi^*\) orbital, so they are paramagnetic (and coloured, e.g. KO2 is orange).
Answer: (B) superoxides are paramagnetic.
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