Question

The cyanide ion, \[C{N^ - }\] and \[{N_2}\;\] are isoelectronic. But in contrast to \[C{N^ - }\],\[{N_2}\;\] is chemically inert due to:
A.Asymmetrical electron distribution
B.Low Bond energy
C.Absence of bond polarity
D.Presence of a greater number of electrons in bonding

Answer 1

Hint: To answer this question, you should recall the concept of chemical inertness of any molecule. An inert chemical refers to the chemical entity that is stable and unreactive under specified conditions. The stability of a molecule depends on its electron density.

Complete step by step answer:
Cyanide ion \[C{N^ - }\] is a very strong nucleophile due to the presence of lone pairs which it can donate to a suitable electrophile. Nitrogen is used in industries and laboratories to generate inert atmosphere as it is chemically unreactive. \[{N_2}\;\] . It has a symmetrical electron distribution. Also, 3 multiple bonds between two nitrogen atoms make it very unreactive and highly inert due to a high bond dissociation energy. Also, the covalent bond is non-polar as it is present between two identical atoms.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Note:
Isotopes refer to the atoms of the same element having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. According to Moseley’s law, the chemical properties of an element depend on the number of electrons present and their configuration within an atom and as the isotopes have the same number of electrons it results in the fact that they exhibit similar chemical properties. Isotones refers to two nuclides which have the same number of neutrons, but different proton number. Isoelectronic species refers to the elements or ions that have an equal number of electrons. Isobars refer to the atoms of different elements with different atomic numbers but the same mass numbers. They have different chemical properties because they have different atomic numbers.