Based on molecular orbital theory, the bond order of the N-N bond in the N₂²⁺ ion is ________. A)0 B)3 C)1 D)2 E)1/2

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to molecular orbital theory, the bond order is given by (number of bonding electrons - number of anti-bonding electrons)/2. In this ion, the N-N bond is formed by the interaction between the two nitrogen atoms, which have five valence electrons each. The number of valence electrons involved in bonding is therefore 10.

Using molecular orbital theory, we can construct the molecular orbital diagram for this ion, which will have six electrons in the bonding orbitals and four electrons in the anti-bonding orbitals.

The bond order is therefore (6-4)/2 = 1, indicating a single bond between the two nitrogen atoms. Therefore, the correct answer is (D).

Based on Molecular Orbital Theory, the Bond Order of the N-N