An alkali metal compound contains an oxygen-based anion. According to Molecular Orbital Theory, the anion is paramagnetic and has a fractional bond order of 1.5. Which of the following is the correct formula of the compound?

Step-by-step solution

The given anion is paramagnetic and has a bond order of 1.5. Let us check the oxygen anions in the given compounds: Li ₂ O contains the oxide ion ( O ²⁻ ), which is monoatomic and diamagnetic. Na ₂ O ₂ and BaO ₂ contain the peroxide ion ( O ₂²⁻ ). The total number of electrons is 18. The bond order is 10 - 8 2 = 1 . It has zero unpaired electrons, so it is diamagnetic. KO ₂ contains the superoxide ion ( O ₂⁻ ). The total number of electrons is 17. The bond order is 10 - 7 2 = 1.5 . It has one unpaired electron in t