The formation of oxide ion O2-(g), from oxygen atom, requires first an exothermic and then an endothermic step as shown below
Thus, the process of formation of O2- in the gas phase is unfavourable even though O2- is isoelectronic with neon. It is due to the fact that:
| 1. | Oxygen is more electronegative |
| 2. | Addition of electron in oxygen results in a larger size of the ion |
| 3. | Electron repulsion outweighs the stability gained by achieving noble gas configuration |
| 4. | O- ion has comparatively smaller size than oxygen atom |
Hint: Use the concept of electronic repulsion
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