Organic Chemistry

Lecture 1: Introduction to Molecular Orbitals

Objectives and Skills

KEY INFORMATION SUMMARY








PROBLEMS

Problem 1.1: Atomic Orbitals
  1. Sketch and label the three 2p atomic orbitals of nitrogen. SOLUTION
  2. How many electrons would be filled in each 2p orbital? SOLUTION
  3. Determine the complete electron configuration of nitrogen. SOLUTION
If you made some mistakes on the above problem, review the concepts that gave you trouble and work on an additional Atomic Orbitals problem.


Problem 1.2: Valence Bond (VB) Theory
  1. Draw the VB theory orbital overlap for HCl. SOLUTION
  2. Explain why a resulting bonding orbital is lower energy than an initial atomic orbital. SOLUTION
If you made some mistakes on the above problem, review the concepts that gave you trouble and work on an additional VB Theory problem.


Problem 1.3: Molecular Orbital (MO) Theory
  1. Draw the MOs that result from the combination of a hydrogen atom and a helium atom. SOLUTION
  2. Draw the MO diagram for H-He. Fill in the electrons, determine bond order, and whether or not this would be a stable molecule. SOLUTION
If you made some mistakes on the above problem, review the concepts that gave you trouble and work on an additional MO Theory problem.


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