Which compounds are isoelectronic with CN-?

[guiromero]

Hello,

I have a question about isoelectronicity from an MIT course:

Select each compound below that is isoelectronic with CN-.
a)O2 2- b)NO+ c)HF d)ClO- e)NO f)CO

My guess would be CO, because it's the only compound that has a triple bond.
Can anyone confirm if my guess is correct?

Thank you.

 

[Tom.G]

The problem is that the "Show Answer" button is not working.

Not the solution you are looking for, but:

In the past several months there is a new version of HTML and its associated features that has appeared on the Internet--- and many older browsers don't know what to do with those pages; buttons and features that don't work have become rather common!

Up until 6 months ago I was using a browser released in 2015 that suddenly didn't work here on PhysicsForums... I was forced to upgrade (and lose a bunch of functionality).

The problem is spreading and even the upgrade has trouble with some sites now.

So it seems you are at the front-end of needing a browser upgrade. I hope you can find one that is not TOO obnoxious!

Oh! And

Cheers,
Tom

 

[guiromero]

Not the solution you are looking for, but:

In the past several months there is a new version of HTML and its associated features that has appeared on the Internet--- and many older browsers don't know what to do with those pages; buttons and features that don't work have become rather common!

Up until 6 months ago I was using a browser released in 2015 that suddenly didn't work here on PhysicsForums... I was forced to upgrade (and lose a bunch of functionality).

The problem is spreading and even the upgrade has trouble with some sites now.

So it seems you are at the front-end of needing a browser upgrade. I hope you can find one that is not TOO obnoxious!

Oh! And

Cheers,
Tom

Thanks for your help. But in this case, it's because the due date of the lesson has already passed.

 

[Borek]

What does "isoelectronic" mean?

(and no, it is not only CO, having triple bond is not the condition you are looking for)

 

[guiromero]

A molecule is isoelectronic with another if both have the same structure (positions and connectivities among atoms) and same electronic configurations, but they differ by what specific elements are at certain locations in the structure.

I firstly didn't realize that NO+ has a triple bond, I thought it had a double bond instead. That's why I thought the answer was only CO.

In this case, I think the answer would be NO+ and CO, because both of them have triple bonds and 10 electrons, alike CN-.

Do you think my assumption is correct?

 

[Borek]

Yes, NO⁺, CO and CN^- are isoelectronic.