CHM 361

Tutorial 3

Molecular orbital
theory

1. Define molecular orbital theory.

2. How many electrons can be placed into each MO?
3. If you combine two atomic orbitals on two different atoms, is this a hybrid orbital
or molecular orbital? If you combine two atomic orbitals on one atom, is this a
hybrid orbital or molecular orbital?
4. Define bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.
5. Use the molecular orbital theory to explain why Be 2 does not exist.
6. A single bond is almost always a sigma bond, and a double bond is almost
always consists of a sigma bond and a pi bond. Show that B 2 and C2 as
examples of exceptions for the previous statement.
7. Define paramagnetic properties. Explain briefly how paramagnetic molecules
can be tested for this property.
8. Draw the MO diagram, write the electron configuration and calculate bond order
for these molecules. Also, decide whether the molecule is diamagnetic or
paramagnetic:
a.
b.
c.

N2
F2
Ne2

9. Explain the significance of bond order.

10. Can bond order be used to compare the strengths of chemical bonds?
11. Write MO electron configurations for these species:
a.
b.

F2, F2 -, F2+
O2, O2 -, O22-, O2+, O22+

12. State the bond order for the species in Q11.