Molecular Orbital
What is Molecular Orbital?
A molecular orbital (MO) is a mathematical function describing the wave-like behavior of an electron in a molecule, formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) from the constituent atoms. Bonding MOs have lower energy than the parent atomic orbitals and promote stability, while antibonding MOs have higher energy (denoted with an asterisk, e.g., σ*). Molecular orbital theory successfully explains properties such as the paramagnetism of O₂ and the bond order in homonuclear diatomics.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
A molecular orbital (MO) is a mathematical function describing the wave-like behavior of an electron in a molecule, formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) from the constituent atoms. Bonding MOs have lower energy than the parent atomic orbitals and promote stability, while antibonding MOs have higher energy (denoted with an asterisk, e.g., σ*). Molecular orbital theory successfully explains properties such as the paramagnetism of O₂ and the bond order in homonuclear diatomics.