(a) What is the difference between a localized \(\pi\) bond and a delocalized one? (b) How can you determine whether a molecule or ion will exhibit delocalized \(\pi\) bonding? (c) Is the \(\pi\) bond in \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\) localized or delocalized?

Short Answer

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(a) Localized π bonds are formed between two adjacent atoms and are restricted to the region between them, whereas delocalized π bonds involve overlapping of more than two atomic orbitals across three or more atoms. (b) To determine if a molecule or ion exhibits delocalized π bonding, look for resonance structures with π bonds shared across three or more atoms. (c) The π bond in the nitrite ion, \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\), is delocalized.

Step by step solution

01

Explaining Localized and Delocalized π bonds

Localized π bonds are formed between two adjacent atoms and are restricted to the region between these two atoms. In contrast, delocalized π bonds involve the overlapping of more than two atomic orbitals across three or more atoms. This leads to an electron cloud that extends over multiple atoms, distributing the bonding electrons across a larger area.
02

Determination of Delocalized π bonds in a Molecule or Ion

To determine whether a molecule or ion exhibits delocalized π bonding, examine the structure of the compound and look for resonance structures. If there is more than one possible structure with π bonds, check whether these structures share electrons across three or more atoms. If the electrons are distributed over multiple atoms, this suggests delocalized π bonding.
03

Analyzing the π bond in the Nitrite Ion, \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\)

The nitrite ion (\(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\)) has two resonance structures, as shown below: (1) O-N=O^(-) ↔ (2) O^(-)-N=O In these resonance structures, the π bond is distributed between the two oxygen atoms and the nitrogen atom. The electron cloud that forms the π bond is spread over three atoms, which indicates delocalized π bonding.
04

Answer

(a) Localized π bonds are formed between two adjacent atoms and are restricted to the region between them, whereas delocalized π bonds involve overlapping of more than two atomic orbitals across three or more atoms. (b) To determine if a molecule or ion exhibits delocalized π bonding, look for resonance structures with π bonds shared across three or more atoms. (c) The π bond in the nitrite ion, \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}^{-}\), is delocalized.

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