Question

The shape of chlorate ion is:
A.Angular
B.Pyramidal
C.Tetrahedral
D.Trigonal planar

Answer 1

Basically, chlorate ion has a molecular formula $Cl{O^{3 - }}$ . These are the salts of chloric acid. Further, the metal chlorates can be prepared by adding chlorine to metal hydroxides such as KOH. So, to solve this question we need to draw the structure and then determine its shape.

Complete step by step answer:
Chlorates are basically the salt of chloric acid. Some of the examples of chlorates are sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorate etc. Now, only one Lewis structure cannot represent the chlorate ion since all the $Cl - O$ bonds are of the same length and the chlorine atom is further hypervalent. So, it is considered as a hybrid of multiple resonance structures. These structures are as shown:

Now, the chlorate ion is $s{p^3}$ hybridized with three bond pairs and one lone pair, so its shape is pyramidal. Moreover, three oxygen atoms will have one unpaired orbital and the chlorine’s unoccupied d orbitals will be used for bonding. The chlorine makes two double bonds with O and a single bond with ${O^ - }$ .
Hence, option B is correct.

Note: The chlorates are powerful oxidizers and should be kept away from easily oxidized materials. Moreover, the mixtures of chlorate salts with combustible material like charcoal, organic solvents, metals will readily deflagrate. These were widely used in pyrotechnics but not their use has fallen due to their instability. Further, these are relatively toxic, though they form generally harmless chlorides on reduction.