Question

Given that O2 is paramagnetic and has a bond order of 2, and its highest occupied molecular orbital is antibonding, what would be the expected bond orders for O22- and O22

Answer 1

Bond order of O22- = 1

Bond order of O22+ = 3

Step-by-step explanation:

The bond order is given by;

1/2(number of bonding - number of anti bonding electrons).

In O22- , there are ten bonding and eight anti bonding electrons giving a bond order of 1 from; 1/2 (10 - 8) = 1

Similarly, for O22+ , we have ten bonding and four antibonding electrons, hence;

1/2 (10 - 4) = 3