STANDARD Chemistry Covalency and Oxidation States MCQ Question
Covalency of oxygen cannot exceed 2 unlike sulphur which can show +4 or +6 because
oxygen atom does not have d-orbitals
oxygen atom has two unpaired electrons in its valence shell
oxygen can form a double bond with another oxygen atom
electrons of oxygen atom cannot be promoted to d-orbitals due to its small size.
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
Oxygen lacks d-orbitals in its valence shell, limiting its covalency to 2. Sulphur, having d-orbitals, can expand its valence shell to show higher oxidation states.
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