Question

In \( \text{O}_2^- \), \( \text{O}_2 \), and \( \text{O}_2^{2-} \) molecular species, the total number of antibonding electrons respectively are:

• A. \( 7, 6, 8 \)
• B. \( 1, 0, 2 \)
• C. \( 6, 6, 6 \)
• D. \( 8, 6, 8 \)

Hint:

The number of antibonding electrons is determined by the specific molecular orbital filling in each species.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The molecular orbital electronic configurations for the species are as follows:
\( \text{O}_2^- \): \( \pi_{2p_x}^2 \pi_{2p_y}^2 \pi_{2p_x}^1 \), with \( 7 \) antibonding electrons.
\( \text{O}_2 \): \( \pi_{2p_x}^2 \pi_{2p_y}^2 \), with \( 6 \) antibonding electrons.
\( \text{O}_2^{2-} \): \( \pi_{2p_x}^2 \pi_{2p_y}^2 \pi_{2p_x}^2 \), with \( 8 \) antibonding electrons.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{7, 6, 8} \]