Which of the following diatomic molecules would be stabilised by the removal of an electron?

Step-by-step solution

In O 2 , molecule, last two electrons are present in anti bonding orbitals. O 2 8 + 8 = 16 = σ 1   s 2 , σ * 1   s 2 , σ 2   s 2 , σ * 2   s 2 ,   σ 2 p z 2 , π 2 p x 2 = π 2 p y 2 , π * 2 p x 1 = π * 2 p y 1 Removal of one electron from the O 2 , molecule gives O 2 + in which the number of anti bonding electrons is one less and hence, BO increases. Thus, removal of one electron from O 2 stabilises the molecule.