What is the shape of the molecular orbital in the highest occupied molecular orb
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the shape of the molecular orbital in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of benzene?
Linear
Trigonal planar
Tetrahedral
Cyclic
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the shape of the molecular orbital in the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of benzene?
Step 1: Understand that benzene is a molecule made up of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring.
Step 2: Recognize that benzene has alternating single and double bonds, which means it has π (pi) electrons that can move freely around the ring.
Step 3: Identify that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is the energy level that contains the highest energy electrons in the molecule.
Step 4: Realize that in benzene, the π electrons are delocalized, meaning they are spread out over the entire ring rather than being fixed between two atoms.
Step 5: Conclude that because of this delocalization, the shape of the HOMO in benzene is cyclic, following the circular arrangement of the carbon atoms.
