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Current Question (ID: 7927)
Question:
$\text{The formation of the oxide ion O}^{2-}\text{(g), from the oxygen atom requires first an exothermic and then an endothermic step as shown below,}$
$\text{O(g) + e}^- \rightarrow \text{O}^-; \Delta_f H^0 = -141 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\text{O}^-\text{(g) + e}^- \rightarrow \text{O}^{2-}\text{(g)}; \Delta_f H^0 = +780 \text{ kJ mol}^{-1}$
$\text{Thus, the process of formation of O}^{2-}\text{ in the gas phase is unfavorable even though O}^{2-}\text{ is isoelectronic with neon. It is due to the fact that:}$
Options:
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1. $\text{Electron repulsion outweighs the stability gained by achieving noble gas configuration.}$
(Correct)
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2. $\text{O}^-\text{ ion has a comparatively smaller size than the oxygen atom.}$
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3. $\text{Oxygen is more electronegative.}$
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4. $\text{Addition of electrons in oxygen results in a large size of the ion.}$
Solution:
$\text{HINT: Electronic repulsions dominates the stability.}$
$\text{Explanation:}$
$\text{O(g) + e}^- \rightarrow \text{O}^-; \Delta_f H^0 = -141 \text{ KJ mol}^{-1}$
$\text{O}^-\text{(g) + e}^- \rightarrow \text{O}^{2-}\text{(g)}; \Delta_f H^0 = +780 \text{ KJ mol}^{-1}$
$\text{Formation of O}^{2-}\text{ in gaseous phase is unfavorable because electronic repulsions predominate over the stability gained by achieving noble gas configuration.}$
$\text{Thus, option 1 is the correct answer.}$
$\text{Detailed explanation:}$
$\text{The first electron addition to oxygen is exothermic (-141 kJ/mol) because:}$
$\text{1. The electron is attracted to the positively charged nucleus}$
$\text{2. There is some electron-electron repulsion, but nuclear attraction dominates}$
$\text{The second electron addition is highly endothermic (+780 kJ/mol) because:}$
$\text{1. The incoming electron must be added to an already negatively charged O}^-\text{ ion}$
$\text{2. Strong electron-electron repulsion occurs in the compact 2p orbitals}$
$\text{3. The repulsion energy outweighs the stability gained from achieving neon's electronic configuration}$
$\text{Even though O}^{2-}\text{ achieves the stable noble gas configuration of neon (1s}^2\text{2s}^2\text{2p}^6\text{), the enormous electron-electron repulsion makes the overall process energetically unfavorable in the gas phase.}$
$\text{This is why O}^{2-}\text{ ions are stable only in ionic solids where the lattice energy compensates for the high electron gain enthalpy.}$
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