Question

Any molecule with an odd number of valence electrons cannot give a full octet to each of its component atoms.

a. True
b. False

Answer 1

Odd-electron molecules have an odd number of valence electrons and cannot give a full octet to each of its component atoms, making the statement true.

Step-by-step explanation:

Odd-electron molecules have an odd number of valence electrons, and therefore have an unpaired electron. These molecules cannot give a full octet to each of its component atoms because the octet rule states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration with eight valence electrons. When a molecule has an odd number of valence electrons, at least one atom in the molecule will have to violate the octet rule.