Statement (I) : A π bonding MO has lower electron density above and below the inter-nuclear asix.
Statement (II) : The π∗ antibonding MO has a node between the nuclei.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
(A)Both Statement I and Statement II are false
(B)Both Statement I and Statement II are true
(C)Statement I is false but Statement II is true✓ Correct
(D)Statement I is true but Statement II is false
Answer: (C)
Solution
A π bonding molecular orbital, formed by sidewise overlap of p-orbitals, concentrates electron density above and below the internuclear axis, and this density is greater — not lower — than in the separate atomic orbitals, so Statement I is false. The π∗ antibonding orbital, formed by out-of-phase overlap, carries an additional nodal plane perpendicular to the internuclear axis and lying between the two nuclei, on top of the nodal plane already present along the axis; this extra node between the nuclei is what makes the orbital antibonding, so Statement II is true.
JEE Main · 2024 · 01 Feb 2024 · Shift 2 · Single correct option
