Molecular Orbitals Two interacting orbitals make two new orbitals. Using a 1s orbital on two H atoms: anitbonding orbital = higher energy bonding orbital = lower energy

MO Diagrams: H and He molecules Atomic orbitals on the sides; molecular orbitals inside.

MO Diagrams Atomic orbitals on the sides; molecular orbitals inside.

MOs involving p orbitals Two interacting orbitals make two new orbitals. Using a 1s orbital on two H atoms: sigma orientation = pointing at each other pi orientation = pointing side-by-side

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2 What about the 1s and 2s orbitals?

p-Orbital MO Diagrams Li2 – N2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams O2 – Ne2

p-Orbital MO Diagrams O2 – Ne2

Heteronuclear Diatomics: CO