Question

Write the salient features of molecular orbital theory.

Answer 1

Molecular orbital theory is represented as MOT. This theory is based on the topic chemical bonding. Electronic structure of various molecules can be determined using MOT. The movement of electrons are influenced by the nuclei in the whole molecule.

Complete step by step answer:
energies of various structures. Molecular orbital theory can be used to explain such properties. Some major postulates of MOT are given below:
1. There are electrons in atomic orbitals. When these atomic orbitals are combined, molecular orbitals are formed.
2. In the molecules which are made up of the same element, the atomic orbitals will have the same energy. While in the molecules which are made up of different elements, the atomic orbitals will have comparable energies.
3. The number of atomic orbitals which are combined will be equal to the molecular orbitals which are formed. But they have different energy, i.e. one has lower energy and other has higher energy. This is because the electrons have a repulsive force towards the nucleus.
4. The molecular orbital having lower energy is called bonding molecular orbital and that having higher energy is called anti-bonding molecular orbital.
5. The shape of the molecular orbital is purely dependent on the shape of the atomic orbitals combined.
6. As we have ${{s,p,d,f}}$ as atomic orbitals, we have $\sigma ,\pi ,\delta$ as molecular orbitals in molecules.
7. We have to follow Aufabu principle and Pauli’s exclusion principle for writing molecular configurations.

Note: Quantum mechanics is a way of explaining the electronic structure of molecules. Molecular orbital theory has been used in quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is the advanced theory to explain the structure of atoms.