Question

The chemical formula of potassium superoxide is:
A. $K{O_2}$
B. ${K_2}O$
C.$KO$
D.${K_2}{O_2}$

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question, we should have knowledge about superoxide. A superoxide is a compound containing superoxide ion which has the chemical formula $O_2^ - $. It is a product of one electron reduction of oxygen molecules.

Complete step by step answer:
A superoxide ion is formed when ${O_2}$ undergoes 1 electron reduction. Molecular oxygen contains 2 unpaired electrons, one in each atom. The superoxide results from the addition of 1 electron to one of the degenerate molecular orbitals which results in a net charge of -1 on ${O_2}$ .
Potassium has an electronic configuration of $[Ar]4{s^1}$, which means it has 1 unpaired electron in its valence shell. So, it loses this electron easily to form ${K^ + }$ ion and interacts with $O_2^ - $ ion to form potassium superoxide linked by ionic bonding. It has the chemical formula $K{O_2}$. The chemical reaction is as follows:
$K + {O_2} \to K{O_2}$

$\therefore $ The correct option is option A, i.e. $K{O_2}$ .

Additional Information:
Potassium superoxide is a very strong oxidant. It decomposes in water to form peroxide, potassium hydroxide and oxygen. The reaction occurs as:
$2K{O_2} + 2{H_2}O \to 2KOH + {H_2}{O_2} + {O_2}$
It is sometimes used in submarines and space shuttles as it absorbs carbon dioxide and forms potassium carbonate and oxygen. The reaction occurs as:
$4K{O_2} + 2C{O_2} \to 2{K_2}C{O_3} + 3{O_2}$

Note:
The superoxide ion contains 2 oxygen atoms linked together by a single bond and with one of the oxygen atoms having an extra electron thus, forming $O_2^ - $. It is different from a peroxide ion which contains 2 extra electrons 1 on each oxygen atom which results in $O_2^{2 - }$ ion. Oxide ion on the other hand, contains only 1 oxygen atom which is present as ${O^{2 - }}$ ion.