Chapter 24: Problem 16

Draw molecular orbital diagram of a square planar complex showing only \(\pi\) -bonding.

Short Answer

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The molecular orbital diagram of a square planar complex involves horizontal lines corresponding to the energy levels with \(\pi\)-bonding molecular orbital and \(\pi\)-anti-bonding molecular orbital. In a square planar, four \(\pi\)-bonds are formed and shown in the diagram as pairs of electrons occupying the \(\pi\)-bonding molecular orbitals.

Step by step solution

Understand the Square Planar Complex

A square planar molecule is a molecule that forms the shape of a square in a single plane. For this exercise, only consider \(\pi\)-bonding MO diagram.

Draw Molecular orbitals (MO)

Start by drawing a horizontal line which will denote the energy level. Above and below this line, draw two more lines. These lines represent the atomic orbitals of the central atom. It's important to note that the line in the middle represents a non-bonding atomic orbital, the line above it represents a bonding molecular orbital, and the line below it represents an anti-bonding molecular orbital.

Represent \(\pi\)-bonding

In \(\pi\)-bonding, electrons are shared between two atoms in regions above and below a plane. Now, show four \(\pi\)-bonds for a square planar complex. Place one pair of electrons (two dots or lines) in each of the bonding molecular orbitals.

Complete the Molecular Orbital Diagram

Label the \(\pi\)-bonding molecular orbital and the \(\pi\)-anti-bonding molecular orbital. Lastly, draw arrows connecting each ligand’s atomic orbital to the corresponding molecular orbital i.e. \(\pi\)-bonding and \(\pi\)-anti-bonding molecular orbitals.

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Draw molecular orbital diagram of a square planar complex showing only \(\pi\) -bonding.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the Square Planar Complex

Draw Molecular orbitals (MO)

Represent \(\pi\)-bonding

Complete the Molecular Orbital Diagram

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