Question

Oxygen molecule is formed by

• A. one axial $s-s$ overlap and one $p-p$ axial overlap
• B. two $p-p$ axial overlaps
• C. two $p-p$ sidewise overlaps
• D. one $p-p$ axial and one $p-p$ sidewise overlap

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Configuration of $O$ atom Configuration of another $O$ atom

Configuration of $O_2$ molecule

$\sigma$ bond of $O = O$ is formed by axial overlapping of $p — p$ orbital while $\pi$ bond is formed by side wise overlapping of $p -p$ orbital