Using the molecular orbital model to describe the bond - ing in F2?, F2, and F2?, predict the bond orders and the relative bond lengths for these three species. How many unpaired electrons are present in each species?

Answer: F2 : bond order = 1.0

F2+: bond order = 1.5

F2 - : bond order = 0.5

Explanation:

1. Starting with F2+

The configuration gives;

F2 + = 9F = 1S2.2S2.2P5

= 9F + = 1S2.2S2.2P4 (this shows it gives out an electron)

Electronic configuration = σ 1S2σ*1S2σ2S2σ*2S2σ2Pz2 π2Px2 = π2Py2 π*2Px2 = π*2Py1

The number of Electrons = (9*2) - 1 = 18 - 1 = 17

Bonding electrons (Nb) = 10

Antibonding electrons (Na) = 7

Bond order = (10-7) / 2 = 3/2 = 1.5

Number of unpaired electrons = 1

2. Starting with F2

The configuration gives;

F2 = 9F = 1S2.2S2.2P5

9F = 1S2.2S2.2P5 (this shows no loss of an electron)

Electronic configuration = σ 1S2σ*1S2σ2S2σ*2S2σ2Pz2 π2Px2 = π2Py2 π*2Px2 = π*2Py2

The number of Electrons = (9*2) = 18 electrons

Bonding electrons (Nb) = 10

Antibonding electrons (Na) = 8

Bond order = (10-8) / 2 = 2/2 = 1.0

Number of unpaired electrons = 0

3. Starting with F2-

The configuration gives;

F2 - = 9F = 1S2.2S2.2P5

10F-- = 1S2.2S2.2P6 (this shows an addition of an electron)

Electronic configuration = σ 1S2σ*1S2σ2S2σ*2S2σ2Pz2 π2Px2 = π2Py2 π*2Px2 = π*2Py2 σ*2Pz

The number of Electrons = (9*2) + 1 = 19 electrons

Bonding electrons (Nb) = 10

Antibonding electrons (Na) = 9

Bond order = (10-9) / 2 = 1/2 = 0.5

Number of unpaired electrons = 1

To get the order of bond as well as length, we know that;

Bond order directly proportional to 1 / Bond length

Therefore the Ascending Bond length = F2 + ˂ F2 ˂ F2-