NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The Lewis structure of CO₂ having two double bonds is more stable than the Lewis structure having one single bond and one triple bond. Reason (R): The formal charge on the central carbon atom is zero in both of these Lewis structures. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriat
Options
- ABoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A)
- BBoth Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A)
- CAssertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false
- DAssertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true
Correct answer
B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A)
Step-by-step solution
Assertion (A) is true: The most stable Lewis structure is the one where the formal charges on the atoms are minimized (closest to zero). In the structure with two double bonds ( O=C=O ), the formal charge on all atoms (both C and O) is zero. In the structure with one single and one triple bond ( O C - O ), the formal charges are +1 on the triple-bonded oxygen, -1 on the single-bonded oxygen, and 0 on carbon. Thus, the structure with two double bonds has lower formal charges and is more stable. Reason (R) is true: T