Practice question
Question
The bond order of F₂⁻ ion, based on molecular orbital theory, is:
Explanation
For F₂⁻ (19 electrons): (sigma 1s)² (sigma^* 1s)² (sigma 2s)² (sigma^* 2s)² (sigma 2pz)² (pi 2px)² (pi 2py)² (pi^* 2px)² (pi^* 2py)² (sigma^* 2pz)¹ . Bonding = 10, antibonding = 9. Bond order = (10 - 9/2) = 0.5 .