Question

Rcgarding \(\mathrm{KO}_{2}\) which of the following is correct? (1) It is a superoxide. (2) It is coloured. (3) It is paramagnetic. (4) All are correct.

Short answer

All are correct.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the properties of \(\text{KO}_{2}\)

Determine if \(\text{KO}_{2}\) is a superoxide by analyzing its chemical composition. Potassium superoxide (\(\text{KO}_{2}\)) contains the superoxide anion \( \text{O}_{2}^{-} \).

Assess if \(\text{KO}_{2}\) is colored

Examine the physical properties of \(\text{KO}_{2}\). Superoxides tend to be colored due to the presence of the \( \text{O}_{2}^{-} \) ion, which usually imparts a color to the compound.

Determine if \(\text{KO}_{2}\) is paramagnetic

Evaluate the magnetic properties of \(\text{KO}_{2}\). The superoxide ion \( \text{O}_{2}^{-} \) has an unpaired electron making \(\text{KO}_{2}\) paramagnetic.

Conclusion

After considering all the properties, it can be concluded that \(\text{KO}_{2}\) is a superoxide, colored, and paramagnetic.

Key concepts

Superoxide

Potassium superoxide, represented as \(\text{KO}_{2}\), is a notable example of a superoxide. Superoxides contain the \(\text{O}_{2}^{-}\) anion. This anion has a negative charge due to the presence of one additional electron compared to the diatomic oxygen molecule \(\text{O}_{2}\). This additional electron gives superoxides distinct properties.
Superoxides are particularly interesting because they are highly reactive. They are often used as oxidizing agents in various chemical reactions due to this reactivity. Additionally, superoxides can spontaneously ignite upon contact with water or moisture, leading to the release of oxygen and sometimes even explosions.
In the case of \(\text{KO}_{2}\), it reacts with \(\text{H}_{2}\text{O}\) to produce potassium hydroxide (\