Molecule A is an odd-electron molecule with a bent geometry. Molecule B is an expanded octet molecule with a square planar geometry. Identify Molecule A and Molecule B respectively from the following pairs.

Step-by-step solution

We must evaluate both the electron count and the molecular geometry for each species. For Molecule A (odd-electron, bent): NO ₂ has 17 valence electrons (an odd number). The central N atom is sp^2 hybridized with one odd electron, resulting in a bent geometry. ClO ₂ has 19 valence electrons and is also bent. NO has 11 valence electrons but is a diatomic molecule, meaning its geometry is strictly linear. N ₂ O has 16 valence electrons (even-electron) and is linear. For Molecule B (expanded octet, square planar): XeF