From the following list of orbital combinations, how many can successfully form a head-on -bond (assuming the optimal internuclear axis is chosen for each pair)? , , , , , , , .

Question

From the following list of orbital combinations, how many can successfully form a head-on $\sigma$ -bond (assuming the optimal internuclear axis is chosen for each pair)? $s+s$, $s+p_x$, $p_x+p_x$, $p_z+p_z$, $d_{z^2}+d_{z^2}$, $p_x+p_y$, $s+d_{xy}$, $p_y+p_y$.

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 6. To form a -bond, orbitals must overlap axially. (any axis), (x-axis), (x-axis), (z-axis), (z-axis), and (y-axis) can all form -bonds. Orthogonal orbitals like always yield zero overlap. The orbital has lobes between axes, so yields zero overlap. Total = 6.

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