CHEM 2303 - Supplementary Problems - Part 2

Linear Combinations of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO's)

Question 1
Give an appropriate set of LCAO's for a square pyramidal sp3d geometry assuming:

  1. The axial-base angle = 90° [Solution]
  2. The axial-base angle > 90° [Solution]

Question 2
Give an appropriate set of LCAO's for a trigonal bipyramidal sp3d geometry. [Solution]

Homonuclear Diatomic MO Diagrams

Question 1
Draw an MO Diagram for B2. Draw the expected Lewis structure for B2 and a Lewis structure based on your MO Diagram. Compare the two drawings in terms of bonding. Is the molecule paramagnetic or diamagnetic, based on the MO Diagram? [Solution]

Question 2
Draw an MO Diagram for C2. Draw the expected Lewis structure for C2 and a Lewis structure based on your MO Diagram. Compare the two drawings in terms of bonding. Is the molecule paramagnetic or diamagnetic, based on the MO Diagram? [Solution]

Question 3
Draw an MO Diagram for O2. Draw the expected Lewis structure for O2 and a Lewis structure based on your MO Diagram. Compare the two drawings in terms of bonding. Is the molecule paramagnetic or diamagnetic, based on the MO Diagram? [Solution]

Heteronuclear Diatomic MO Diagrams

Question 1
Draw an MO Diagram for NO+ (the molecular orbitals are ordered the same as in B2). Draw the expected Lewis structure for NO+ and a Lewis structure based on your MO Diagram. Compare the two drawings in terms of bonding. NO+ coordinates to metal complexes through the nitrogen atom. Would this be expected based on your MO Diagram? Explain. [Solution]

Question 2
Draw an MO Diagram for NO- (the molecular orbitals are ordered the same as in B2). Draw the expected Lewis structure for NO- and a Lewis structure based on your MO Diagram. Compare the two drawings in terms of bonding. NO- coordinates to metal complexes through the nitrogen atom through a σ-bond. Would this be expected based on your MO Diagram? Explain. [Solution]