Molecular Orbitals

Molecular OrbitalsTwo interacting orbitals make two new orbitals. Using a 1s orbital on two H atoms:

bonding orbital = lower energy

anitbonding orbital = higher energy

MO Diagrams: H and He moleculesAtomic orbitals on the sides; molecular orbitals inside.

MO DiagramsAtomic orbitals on the sides; molecular orbitals inside.

MOs involving p orbitalsTwo interacting orbitals make two new orbitals. Using a 1s orbital on two H atoms:

sigma orientation = pointing at each other

pi orientation =pointing side-by-side

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2

What about the 1sand 2s orbitals?

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams O2 – Ne2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams O2 – Ne2

Heteronuclear Diatomics: CO

Evidence of Molecular OrbitalsPhotoelectron Spectroscopy

http://employees.oneonta.edu/viningwj/sims/molecular_orbital_theory_m.html