In: Chemistry
9.5 Explain the concepts of the molecular orbital model and apply to diatomic molecules
Define diamagnetism and paramagnetism
Determine if specific ions are paramagnetic or diamagnetic
Explain what a molecular orbital is and how it is different from a hybrid orbital
Explain the difference between an anti-bonding and a bonding as well as a sigma and pi
molecular orbitals.
Populate a molecular orbital diagram with the valence electrons of an atom or ion
Determine the bond order and magnetic properties of a substance based on its
molecular orbital filling diagram.
Molecular Orbital Theory
Let us have an example of O2 (diatomic molecule)-
In O2 molecule, total number of electrons in valence shell = 12 (6 in each oxygen). These electrons are filled in the order as follow-
2s2 *2s22pz22px22py22px12py1
Diamagnetism and Paramagnetism
When a molecule or ion has only paired electrons in its molecular orbitals, then it is said to possess diamagnetism. For example N2 molecule as it has no unpaired electron in any of the molecular orbital.
When a molecule or ion has unpaired electrons in its molecular orbitals, then it is said to possess paramagnetism. For example O2 because it has two unpaired electrons in 2px and 2py molecular orbitals.
Specific ions are paramagnetic or diamagnetic
Ions which possess unpaired electrons are known as paramagnetic ions. For example - Superoxide ion (O2-). On the opposite end, ions which possess paired electrons are known as diamagnetic ions. For example - Peroxide ion (O22-).
Difference between Molecular orbital and Hybrid orbital
A molecular orbital is a wave-function of a molecule's electron and is used to calculate its chemical and physical properties. A molecular orbital is used to find the potential regions of a molecule where an electron can occupy the orbital. It is formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals of appropriate energy and symmetry.
Molecular orbitals are different from the hybrid orbitals in the manner that they are formed by the interactions of atomic orbitals of two different atoms while hybrid orbitals are formed by the interactions of atomic orbitals in the same atom while molecular orbitals.
Difference between Bonding and Antibonding Molecular orbital
Bonding Molecular orbital
Antibonding Molecular orbital
Difference between sigma and pi Molecular orbital
Sigma Molecular orbital
Pi Molecular orbital
Molecular orbital diagram with the valence electrons
Molecular orbital diagram of Lithium atom to form Li2 with filling of electrons has been shown as follows-
Bond order from molecular orbital diagram
Bond order can be defined as the difference of bonding and antibonding electrons divided by two Bond order is also an index of bond strength, and it is used extensively in valence bond theory.
Bond order = (Total electrons in bonding molecular orbitals - Total electrons in bonding molecular orbitals) / 2
Magnetic properties from molecular orbital diagram
The magnetic properties of a compound can be determined by examining its electron configuration from molecular orbital diagram. If it has unpaired electrons, then the substance is paramagnetic and if all electrons are paired, the substance is diamagnetic. Whole process can be divided into three steps: