Chemistry
Chemistry
Problem
Rank the Cl–O bond lengths in the following species from shortest to longest: I. ClO II. ClO III. ClO a) I < III < II b) I < II < III c) II < I < III d) II < III < IIntuitive explanation
The key is recognizing that bond order—determined by how many electron pairs are shared between Cl and O—directly controls bond length. Higher bond order means shorter, stronger bonds. Start by drawing Lewis structures for each species and counting the average number of bonds per Cl–O pair, accounting for resonance structures where they exist. Species with more oxidized chlorine and delocalized bonding (like the polyatomic ions) will have higher average bond orders than those with simple single bonds.
Intuitive explanation
The key is recognizing that bond order—determined by how many electron pairs are shared between Cl and O—directly controls bond length. Higher bond order means shorter, stronger bonds. Start by drawing Lewis structures for each species and counting the average number of bonds per Cl–O pair, accounting for resonance structures where they exist. Species with more oxidized chlorine and delocalized bonding (like the polyatomic ions) will have higher average bond orders than those with simple single bonds.