Q.

ClO2 is paramagnetic and contains odd number electrons but does not dimerize, because:

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a

odd electrons are paired up

b

odd electron of ClO2 occupies sp3 hybrid orbital

c

due to strong van der Waals' force, odd electron is paired up

d

odd electron gets delocalized into vacant d-orbital

answer is D.

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Detailed Solution

Odd valence electrons make up the molecule ClO2. It is therefore of a paramagnetic character. In order to couple the electrons, this strange electron molecule now has to dimerize, but ClO2 does not.

So, ClO2 is paramagnetic and contains odd number electrons but does not dimerize, because odd electron of ClO2 occupies sp3 hybrid orbital.

Hence, the option D is correct.

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