According to molecular orbital theory, which of the following is true with respect to Li 2 + and Li 2 - ?

According to molecular orbital theory, which of the following is true with respect to Li2+ and Li2- ?
  1. Li2+  is stable and Li2-  is unstable
  2. Both are unstable
  3. Both are stable
  4. Li2+  is unstable and Li2-  is stable

Solution

According to molecular orbital theory Li2+ has 5 electrons -σ1s2σ*1s2σ2s1

Li2- has 7 electrons -σ1s2σ*1s2σ2s2σ*2s1

bondorder=electron  inbondingmolecularorbital-Electron  inAntibondingmolecularorbital2

Bond order of Li2+=3-22=12

Bond order of Li2-=4-32=12

As both have similar bond order, both Li2+ and Li2- will be stable.

Note: Li2- will be relatively unstable to Li2+ as it has more electrons in anti bonding orbitals, so have more energy and having more repulsion so Li2- is less stable as Li2+

Asked in: JEE Main 2019 (09 Jan Shift 1)

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