In: Chemistry
Why antibonding 2s molecular orbital is filled before a bonding 2p molecular orbital, although antibonding 2s molecular orbital reduces stability?
Because of decreasing stability of antibonding 2s molecular orbital, its energy will be increased. But there is a considerable energy difference between antibonding 2s molecular orbital and bonding 2p molecular orbital. After gaining energy by antibonding 2s molecular orbital by reducing stability, still its energy is lower than the energy of bonding 2p molecular orbital. So while filling the electrons antibonding 2s molecular orbital is filled before a bonding 2p molecular orbital.