Question

Write an example of a neutral molecule which is isoelectronic to ClO⁻.

Answer 1

1. The species ClO⁻ has 26 electrons in total (17 from Cl, 8 from O, plus 1 extra electron).
2. A neutral molecule that is isoelectronic with ClO⁻ must also have 26 electrons.
3. ClF (chlorine monofluoride) is a neutral molecule with 17 electrons from Cl and 9 from F, totalling 26 electrons.
4. Thus, ClF is isoelectronic to ClO⁻.
5. ClF acts as a Lewis base because the chlorine atom has lone pairs available for bonding.

Therefore, an example of a neutral molecule isoelectronic to ClO⁻ is ClF.