Question
Give the points of difference betweeen bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.
Solution
Differences between bonding and antibonding orbitals.
| Bonding molecular orbital | Antibonding molecular orbital |
| 1. It is formed by the addition overlap of atomic orbitals. Ψ MO = ΨA + ΨB |
1. It is formed by the subtraction overlap of atomic orbitals. Ψ MO = ΨA – ΨB |
| 2. It possesses lower energy than the atomic orbitals from which it is formed. | 2. It possesses higher energy than the atomic orbitals from which it is formed. |
| 3. There is a greater electron density between the nuclei of bonded atoms. | 3. There is less electron density between the nuclei of interacting atoms. |
| 4. Every electron in a bonding molecular orbital contributes to the attraction between two atoms. | 4. Every electron in an antibonding molecular orbital contributes to repulsion between two atoms. |
5. These are designed as σ, δ etc. |
5. These are designated as  etc. |
