Bonding theories {molecular orbital theory} (MO) can use molecular electron orbitals. Bonding orbitals have electrons between nuclei, which causes shielding. Antibonding orbitals have electrons beyond nuclei, with no shielding. Only these two wave-interference types result in net amplitude and so are the only bonding types.
number
Number of occupied bonding orbitals compared to number of occupied antibonding orbitals gives total bond number. If antibonding equals bonding, no bond forms.
strength
Bond strength depends on atomic-orbital overlap, which is greatest for identical orbitals. If electronegativity difference between atoms is great, bonding and antibonding orbitals are similar in energy, because shielding is minimal.
errors
Molecular orbital theory weights ionic effects too heavily.
Bonding theory {valence-bond theory} involves electric interactions between atoms. Molecular orbitals only form between valence electrons, because only valence electrons can contact outside world and valence electrons are least bound. Other electrons are too tightly bound. However, valence-bond theory weights ionic effects too lightly.
5-Chemistry-Inorganic-Chemical Bond
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Date Modified: 2022.0225