Understanding Molecular Orbital Theory and Bond Order

Molecular orbital theory explains the bonding and antibonding orbitals formed when atoms combine to form molecules.

When atomic orbitals are in phase, they combine to form a bonding molecular orbital, which has a high probability of finding an electron between the nuclei.

Electrons in molecular orbitals favor the formation of molecules by occupying the region between the nuclei.

🔬 The forces between protons in a molecule favor bond formation.

🌗 Destructive interference between electron waves creates an antibonding molecular orbital.

🚫 An antibonding molecular orbital has a node where the probability of finding an electron is zero.

🔍 In the formation of an H2 molecule, the electrons are more likely to be found outside the region between the two nuclei, resulting in weak forces of attraction and a repulsive net force.

🔀 The bonding molecular orbital has a high probability of finding electrons between the nuclei, while the antibonding molecular orbital has a low probability of finding electrons between the nuclei.

🌗 Anti-bonding is associated with destructive interference, while the bonding molecular orbital is associated with constructive interference.

🔑 In molecular orbital theory, electrons are more likely to be found outside the nuclei, favoring bond formation.

🗂️ The energy diagram of a molecular orbital shows that bonding molecular orbitals have lower energy, while antibonding molecular orbitals have higher energy.

⚡ Electrons naturally fall to lower energy levels, releasing energy and promoting bond formation.

⚛️ Paramagnetic and diamagnetic substances are determined by the presence of unpaired or paired electrons, respectively.

🔢 The bond order of a molecule can be calculated by subtracting the number of antibonding electrons from the number of bonding electrons, divided by two.

🔗 Higher bond order indicates greater stability and lower energy, while shorter bonds are stronger and longer bonds are weaker.

🔗 Triple bonds are stronger and shorter than single bonds.

🧪 Bond order determines the stability and reactivity of molecules.

💥 Breaking a bond requires energy, and more energy is needed for triple bonds.

🔑 The bond order of the H2 ion is one-half, making it less stable than H2.

💻 The electron configuration of the H2- ion is sigma 1s with 2 electrons and sigma 1s* with 1 electron.

🔬 The dihelium atom does not form a stable molecule and exists as individual helium atoms.