Consider the following hypothetical ions and their properties: Cation M ⁺ : Valence shell configuration is ns^2 np^6 , ionic radius = r₁ Cation N ⁺ : Valence shell configuration is ns^2 np^6 nd¹⁰ , ionic radius = r₁ Anion X ⁻ : ionic radius = r₂ Anion Y ⁻ : ionic radius = r₃ Given that r₃ > r₂ , which of the following compounds will exhibit the maximum covalent character?

Step-by-step solution

According to Fajan's rules, the covalent character of an ionic compound increases with the polarizing power of the cation and the polarizability of the anion. For cations: Cations with a pseudo-noble gas configuration ( ns^2 np^6 nd¹⁰ ) have greater polarizing power than cations with a noble gas configuration ( ns^2 np^6 ) of the same size and charge. Thus, the polarizing power of N ⁺ is greater than that of M ⁺ . For anions: The polarizability of an anion increases with its size. Since r₃ > r₂ , the anion Y ⁻ is m