How many distinct nodal planes are present in a antibonding molecular orbital? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

A $\pi$ bonding molecular orbital has one nodal plane (the plane containing the internuclear axis, where the atomic p-orbital nodes lie). A $\pi^*$ antibonding molecular orbital possesses that same planar node, plus an additional perpendicular nodal plane situated directly between the two nuclei where the out-of-phase lobes destructively interfere. Total = 2.