MCQEasyJEE 2025Molecular Orbital Theory

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

Which of the following molecules(s) show/s paramagnetic behavior?

  • A

    (4) A&D only(4)\ \text{A} \& \text{D only}

  • B

    (1) B only(1)\ \text{B only}

  • C

    (2) A&C only(2)\ \text{A} \& \text{C only}

  • D

    (3) A&E only(3)\ \text{A} \& \text{E only}

Answer

Correct answer:A

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The molecules listed are O2\mathrm{O_2}, N2\mathrm{N_2}, F2\mathrm{F_2}, S2\mathrm{S_2} and Cl2\mathrm{Cl_2}.

Find: Which option corresponds to the paramagnetic molecules.

A molecule is paramagnetic if it contains unpaired electrons. Using molecular orbital theory:

  • O2\mathrm{O_2} has two unpaired electrons, so it is paramagnetic.
  • N2\mathrm{N_2} has all electrons paired, so it is diamagnetic.
  • F2\mathrm{F_2} has all electrons paired, so it is diamagnetic.
  • S2\mathrm{S_2} is analogous to O2\mathrm{O_2} and has unpaired electrons, so it is paramagnetic.
  • Cl2\mathrm{Cl_2} has all electrons paired, so it is diamagnetic.

Therefore, the paramagnetic molecules are O2\mathrm{O_2} and S2\mathrm{S_2}.

Among the given combined-answer options, this corresponds to (4) A & D only.

The correct option is A.

Note: The solution's states option D, but the solution working clearly concludes (4) A & D only. Hence the option list has been preserved verbatim and the answer has been derived from the solution content.

Unpaired-Electron Check

Given: Paramagnetism depends on the presence of unpaired electrons.

Find: Which listed molecules contain unpaired electrons.

A quick check gives:

  • O2\mathrm{O_2}: 22 unpaired electrons
  • N2\mathrm{N_2}: 00 unpaired electrons
  • F2\mathrm{F_2}: 00 unpaired electrons
  • S2\mathrm{S_2}: 22 unpaired electrons
  • Cl2\mathrm{Cl_2}: 00 unpaired electrons

So the paramagnetic molecules are O2\mathrm{O_2} and S2\mathrm{S_2} only, which matches (4) A & D only.

Therefore, the correct option is A.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming that all diatomic molecules are diamagnetic is incorrect because magnetic behavior depends on whether electrons are paired in molecular orbitals. Always check the MO configuration before deciding.

  • Confusing the original molecule labels A\mathrm{A}, B\mathrm{B}, C\mathrm{C}, D\mathrm{D}, E\mathrm{E} with the final answer-option labels can lead to a wrong response. First identify the paramagnetic molecules, then map them to the combined-answer options.

  • Treating S2\mathrm{S_2} as diamagnetic by analogy with heavier halogens is wrong. S2\mathrm{S_2} is analogous to O2\mathrm{O_2} in having unpaired electrons, so it is paramagnetic.

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