ResonanceHardQuestion 600333
Question
The bond lengths in the carbonate ion CO₃²⁻ are all equal because:
- ACarbon has sp hybridisation
- BAll three C−O bonds are equivalent by resonanceCorrect
- CCO₃²⁻ has three single bonds
- DOxygen is more electronegative than carbon
Correct answer
All three C−O bonds are equivalent by resonance
Explanation
CO₃²⁻ has 3 equivalent resonance structures. The delocalised electrons make all C−O bonds identical with bond order = 4/3, intermediate between single and double bond.