Question

Based on molecular orbital theory, there is/are ________ unpaired electron(s) in the of+ ion.

Answer 1

Atomic number of O= 8

Atomic number of F = 9

Electron configurations:

⁸O = 1s² 2s² 2p⁴

⁹F = 1s² 2s² 2p⁵

Total electrons: 8+ 9 = 17

For OF the molecular electron configuration would be:

OF = (1σ)²(1σ*)²(2σ)²(2σ*)²(2pσ)²(2pπ)⁴(2pπ*)³

OF⁺ suggests a loss of one electron from the 2pπ* orbital leaving the configuration as:

OF⁺ = (1σ)²(1σ*)²(2σ)²(2σ*)²(2pσ)²(2pπ)⁴(2pπ*)²

Thus, based on MO theory there are two unpaired electrons in OF⁺ ion