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Ch.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO Theory
Tro - Chemistry: A Molecular Approach 6th Edition
Tro6th EditionChemistry: A Molecular ApproachISBN: 9780137832217Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTro 6th EditionCh.11 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes, VSEPR & MO TheoryProblem 75
Chapter 11, Problem 75

Draw an MO energy diagram and predict the bond order of Be2+ and Be2- . Do you expect these molecules to exist in the gas phase?

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1
Start by understanding the molecular orbital (MO) theory, which describes the distribution of electrons in molecules. For diatomic molecules like Be2, we consider the combination of atomic orbitals from each Be atom to form molecular orbitals.
Identify the atomic orbitals involved: Beryllium (Be) has the electron configuration 1s^2 2s^2. For Be2, we will consider the 2s orbitals from each Be atom combining to form molecular orbitals.
Construct the MO energy diagram for Be2: The 2s orbitals combine to form a bonding molecular orbital (σ2s) and an antibonding molecular orbital (σ*2s). For Be2+, remove one electron from the highest energy orbital, and for Be2-, add one electron to the highest energy orbital.
Calculate the bond order using the formula: Bond Order = (Number of electrons in bonding MOs - Number of electrons in antibonding MOs) / 2. Apply this formula to both Be2+ and Be2- to determine their bond orders.
Evaluate the stability of Be2+ and Be2- based on their bond orders. A positive bond order suggests the possibility of the molecule existing in the gas phase, while a bond order of zero or negative indicates instability.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molecular Orbital Theory

Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory describes the behavior of electrons in molecules, where atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals that can be occupied by electrons. These orbitals are categorized as bonding, antibonding, or non-bonding, influencing the stability and properties of the molecule. Understanding MO diagrams is essential for predicting bond order and molecular stability.
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Bond Order

Bond order is a measure of the number of chemical bonds between a pair of atoms, calculated as the difference between the number of bonding and antibonding electrons divided by two. A higher bond order indicates a stronger and more stable bond. For diatomic molecules, bond order helps predict their existence and stability in the gas phase.
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Stability of Ions

The stability of ions like Be2+ and Be2- is influenced by their electronic configurations and the resulting bond orders. Be2+ has lost an electron, potentially leading to a higher bond order and greater stability, while Be2- has gained an electron, which may result in a lower bond order and less stability. Understanding these factors helps predict whether these ions can exist in the gas phase.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

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