Which of the following molecule stabilizes by removal of electron?

Options

A. `C_(2)`
B. `O_(2)`
C. `N_(2)`
D. `H_(2)`

Answer

To solve the question of which molecule stabilizes by the removal of an electron, we will use the principles of molecular orbital theory. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Understand Molecular Orbital Theory
Molecular orbital theory explains how atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals. Electrons occupy these molecular orbitals, which can be either bonding or anti-bonding.

**Hint:** Remember that bonding orbitals stabilize a molecule, while anti-bonding orbitals destabilize it.

### Step 2: Identify the Electronic Configuration
For the O2 molecule, the electronic configuration in terms of molecular orbitals is as follows:
- σ(1s)²
- σ*(1s)²
- σ(2s)²
- σ*(2s)²
- σ(2pz)²
- π(2px)²
- π(2py)²

This configuration indicates that O2 has a total of 16 electrons, with 14 in bonding orbitals and 2 in anti-bonding orbitals (π(2px)* and π(2py)*).

**Hint:** Count the total number of electrons and identify how they are distributed between bonding and anti-bonding orbitals.

### Step 3: Analyze the Effect of Electron Removal
According to molecular orbital theory, removing an electron from an anti-bonding orbital increases the stability of the molecule. In the case of O2, if we remove one electron from either π(2px)* or π(2py)* (the anti-bonding orbitals), we will increase the bond order.

**Hint:** Recall that bond order is calculated as (number of bonding electrons - number of anti-bonding electrons) / 2.

### Step 4: Calculate the Bond Order
- For O2:
- Bonding electrons = 10 (from σ and π orbitals)
- Anti-bonding electrons = 6 (from σ* and π* orbitals)
- Bond order = (10 - 6) / 2 = 2

- For O2⁺ (after removing one electron from an anti-bonding orbital):
- Bonding electrons = 10
- Anti-bonding electrons = 5
- Bond order = (10 - 5) / 2 = 2.5

This shows that the bond order increases from 2 to 2.5, indicating increased stability.

**Hint:** Always calculate the bond order before and after electron removal to confirm stability changes.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Based on the analysis, the molecule that stabilizes by the removal of an electron is O2. The removal of an electron from an anti-bonding orbital increases the bond order and thus the stability of the molecule.

**Final Answer:** O2