Q29P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Antibonding MOs always have at least one node. Can a bonding MO have a node? If so, draw an example.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Yes, a Bonding orbital can have a node, when a bonding atomic orbital and anti-bonding orbital are overlapped.

Step 1: Bonding

Bonding may be defined as the attraction forced by both the atom on each other. In bonding there can be involvement of a pair of electron or two pair of electron. As per the pair of electron increases the attraction increases, hence, strong bond is formed.

 

Node is formed by the formation of the high energy orbitals made a place having zero electron density.

Step 2: Node Formation

Yes, the node can be present in the molecular orbital forming by head-on-overlapping. The node is a place present in the molecular orbital where the electron is nil. When there is bonding in the side-ways-overlapping between the sigma and pi- antibonding atomic orbital having the higher energy forming the place of null electron-density.