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Chapter 5 | Advanced Theories of Bonding 297
Figure 5.40 The molecular orbital energy diagram for O2 predicts two unpaired electrons. We calculate the bond order as
Oxygen's paramagnetism is explained by the presence of two unpaired electrons in the (π2py, π2pz)* molecular orbitals.
Check Your Learning
The main component of air is N2. From the molecular orbital diagram of N2, predict its bond order and whether it is diamagnetic or paramagnetic.
Answer: N2 has a bond order of 3 and is diamagnetic.
Example 5.8
Ion Predictions with MO Diagrams
Give the molecular orbital configuration for the valence electrons in Will this ion be stable? Solution
Looking at the appropriate MO diagram, we see that the π orbitals are lower in energy than the σp orbital.
The valence electron configuration for C2 is Adding two more electrons to
