The incorrect statement regarding molecular orbital(s) is : — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Check the definitions of nodal planes in molecular orbitals. Antibonding molecular orbitals contain a nodal plane perpendicular to the internuclear axis (a). Pi (π) bonding molecular orbitals contain a nodal plane containing the internuclear axis (b). Sigma (σ) bonding orbitals are symmetric around the internuclear axis with no nodal planes containing it (c). Step 2: A delta (δ) molecular orbital is formed by the face-to-face overlap of d-orbitals. Step 3: Due to this symmetry, a δ-bonding molecular orbital possesses exactly two nodal planes that intersect along the internuclear axis, not three. Thus, statement (d) is incorrect.