Molecular Orbitals
- Page ID
- 31929
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The following diagrams illustrate the combination of molecular orbitals in 'fragments' to produce molecular orbitals in common molecules. The purpose of this page is to show how orbitals combine (overlap) to produce sigma and pi bonds. The orbitals were all calculated using semiempirical calculations, so the results shown should not be considered highly accurate.
s + s = sigma (σ)
+ | = | |||
s atomic orbital | s atomic orbital | sigma (σ) bond |
s + p = sigma (&sigma)
+ | = | |||
s atomic orbital | p-like orbital | sigma (σ) bond |
p + p = sigma (σ)
+ | = | |||
p-like orbital | p-like orbital | sigma (σ) bond |
sigma vs. pi bonds
sigma bond (σ) | pi bond (π) |