Which of the following leads to bonding? [SEE DIAGRAM] — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Analyze the phase of overlapping orbitals. Bonding requires constructive interference, which occurs when overlapping lobes have the same phase sign. Step 2: In option (a), a positive s-orbital overlaps with a p-orbital perpendicular to it (positive and negative lobes cancel out, leading to zero overlap). In option (b), a positive s-orbital overlaps axially with the positive lobe of a p-orbital, resulting in bonding. Step 3: Option (c) shows out-of-phase sideways p-p overlap (anti-bonding), and (d) shows mismatched non-bonding overlap. Thus, only option (b) leads to bonding.