Neutral NO is often represented by two equivalent resonance structures
CHEMISTRY · Single correct · AP · Chemistry · Compound Structure and Properties · Compound Structure and Properties
Problem
Neutral NO2 is often represented by two equivalent resonance structures. Which of the following statements best describes these structures?
(a) The two resonance structures differ by the position of both the double bond and the unpaired electron; consequently, one N–O bond is always shorter than the other at any instant.
(b) In one resonance form nitrogen uses two double bonds (expanding its octet), whereas in the other it obeys the octet rule with just one; this gives an overall N–O bond order of 2.
(c) Each structure shows the unpaired electron residing on nitrogen, and the N–O bond order averages to 1.5 because of resonance.
(d) Resonance occurs because the unpaired electron alternates between the two oxygen atoms, leaving both N–O bonds single in the averaged structure.