Question:

During the change of \(\mathrm{O_2}\) to \(\mathrm{O_2^-}\), the incoming electron goes to the orbital :

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Write the MO configuration of O2: the highest occupied orbitals are the two half-filled degenerate pi* orbitals.
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
  • \(\pi 2p_y\)
  • \(\sigma^{*}2p_z\)
  • \(\pi^{*}2p_x\)
  • \(\pi 2p_x\)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

\(\mathrm{O_2}\) has 16 electrons: \(\sigma 1s^2\,\sigma^*1s^2\,\sigma 2s^2\,\sigma^*2s^2\,\sigma 2p_z^2\,\pi 2p_x^2=\pi 2p_y^2\,\pi^*2p_x^1=\pi^*2p_y^1\).
The two \(\pi^*\) orbitals are singly occupied (making \(\mathrm{O_2}\) paramagnetic). The next electron enters one of these half-filled \(\pi^*\) orbitals, pairing up in \(\pi^*2p_x\) (or equivalently \(\pi^*2p_y\)), giving \(\mathrm{O_2^-}\) with \(\pi^*2p_x^2\,\pi^*2p_y^1\).
Among the options, \(\pi^*2p_x\) is the correct one.
Answer: (3) \(\pi^{*}2p_x\)
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