O2+ is paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

1 Answer
Nov 21, 2017

Paramagnetic

Explanation:

We can work this out by looking at the molecular orbital diagram of O_2

http://www.grandinetti.org/http://www.grandinetti.org/

O_2^+ has 1 fewer electron than O_2 which is what gives it the positive charge.

The electron would be removed from the pi orbital, as this is the highest in energy. Removing one electron from the pi orbital still leaves one unpaired electron in the other pi* orbital.

Since O_2^+ has an unpaired electron it is paramagnetic.