Chemistry

Problem

Which of the following best describes a free-radical molecule in the context of Lewis electron-dot structures? a)

\text{A molecule whose central atom has fewer than eight valence electrons, resulting in an incomplete octet.}

\text{Any ionic species that possesses an overall non-zero charge.}

\text{A species whose total number of valence electrons is odd, leading to one unpaired electron.}

\text{A molecule that violates the octet rule by surrounding an atom with more than eight valence electrons.}