Question

(a) The nitric oxide molecule, NO, readily loses one electron to form the NO⁺ ion. Which of the following is the best explanation of why this happens: (i) Oxygen is more electronegative than nitrogen, (ii) The highest energy electron in NO lies in a π*_2p molecular orbital, or (iii) The π*_2p MO in NO is completely filled. (b) Predict the order of the N ¬ O bond strengths in NO, NO⁺, and NO^-, and describe the magnetic properties of each. (c) With what neutral homonuclear diatomic molecules are the NO⁺ and NO^- ions isoelectronic (same number of electrons)?