Which of the following electron distributions among the molecular orbitals best describes the NO molecule?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct electron distribution for the NO molecule involves a combination of sigma (σ) and pi (π) molecular orbitals, with an odd number of electrons due to the molecule's paramagnetic nature. The notation seems to be a mix of molecular orbital symbols and electron counts, but the correct distribution must account for the 15 electrons present in NO (7 from nitrogen and 8 from oxygen), including both bonding and antibonding orbitals, and the presence of unpaired electrons. Option E suggests a distribution that includes sigma and pi orbitals and acknowledges an unpaired electron, which aligns with the known electronic structure of NO.

Which of the Following Electron Distributions Among the Molecular Orbitals