All alkali metal superoxides contain the ion `[O_(2)]`. They are

Options

A. paramagnetic
B. colored compounds
C. oxidizing agents
D. all of these

Answer

D

Explanation

Superoxides are paramagnetic because the ion `[O_(2)]^(-)` has an unparied electron. (Refer to molecular orbital theory in Chapter 4.) They are all colored :`LiO_(2) " and " NaO_(2) " are yellow " , KO_(2) " is orange ", RbO_(2) " is brown, and " CsO_(2)` is orange. They are even stronger oxidizing agents than peroxides as they give both `H_(2)O_(2) " and " O_(2)` with either water or acid:
`KO_(2)+2H_(2)O to KOH+H_(2)O_(2)+(1)/(2)O_(2)`