Question 8.10: Constructing an MO Diagram for a Second-Row Diatomic Molecul...
Constructing an MO Diagram for a Second-Row Diatomic Molecule
Nitrogen monoxide (NO), typically called nitric oxide, is a diatomic molecule with a molecular orbital diagram similar to that of katex is not defined (Figure 8.22a). Show the MO diagram for nitric oxide, and predict its bond order. Is NO diamagnetic or paramagnetic?
STRATEGY
Count the number of valence electrons in NO, and assign them to the available katex is not defined shown in Figure 8.22a, beginning with the lowest energy orbital.

Learn more on how we answer questions.
Nitric oxide has 5 valence electrons from N and 6 from O for a total of 11. The 11 electrons are assigned to MOs in Figure 8.22a. NO has 8 bonding and 3 antibonding electrons and a bond order of (8 – 3)/2 = 2.5. Because it has one unpaired electron, it is paramagnetic.
