A molecular orbital is described by the following characteristics: (i) It is formed by the subtractive effect of electron waves ( _A - _B ). (ii) It is not symmetrical around the internuclear axis. (iii) It has a nodal plane between the two nuclei. Which of the following molecular orbitals matches this description?

Step-by-step solution

The subtractive effect of electron waves ( _A - _B ) indicates the formation of an antibonding molecular orbital, which rules out 2p_y and 2s . The molecular orbital is not symmetrical around the internuclear axis, which means it is a pi ( ) molecular orbital. Sigma ( ) molecular orbitals, such as ^ * 2p_z , are symmetrical around the bond axis. Therefore, the given characteristics describe an antibonding pi molecular orbital, which is ^ * 2p_x . It possesses a nodal plane between the nuclei and zero electron densi