Question

Which of the molecules is having shortest bond length o2 o2- o22-?

Answer 1

The stabilities of these can be best explained using Molecular orbital theory. (i) Formation Oxygen molecule: Electronic configuration of oxygen atom-1s² 2s² 2p⁴ Atomic orbitals of oxygen combine to form molecular orbitals. BO = bonding orbitals ABO = Anti-bonding orbitals O2: Electronic configuration of Oxygen molecule = Bond order in Oxygen molecule (O2)= =½ [(Number of bonding electrons) – (number of anti-bonding electrons)] = ½ [10 – 6] = 2 O2- : Bond order in Oxygen molecule (O2-2) =½ [(Number of bonding electrons) – (number of anti-bonding electrons)] = ½ [10 – 8] = 1 With the increase in number of electrons in anti-bonding orbital the stability and bond order of the molecule decreases. Thus Decreasing order of stability is: O2 > O2- > O2-2