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Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Chapter 9, Problem 84a

The iodine bromide molecule, IBr, is an interhalogen compound. Assume that the molecular orbitals of IBr are analogous to the homonuclear diatomic molecule F2. (a) Which valence atomic orbitals of I and of Br are used to construct the MOs of IBr?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molecular Orbitals (MOs)

Molecular orbitals are formed by the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) from the constituent atoms in a molecule. In diatomic molecules, these orbitals can be bonding, antibonding, or non-bonding, influencing the molecule's stability and properties. Understanding how atomic orbitals combine to form MOs is crucial for predicting the behavior of molecules like IBr.
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Atomic Orbitals of Iodine and Bromine

Iodine (I) and bromine (Br) are both halogens with similar electronic configurations. Iodine has the electron configuration [Kr] 4d10 5s2 5p5, while bromine is [Ar] 4s2 4p5. The valence atomic orbitals involved in forming MOs for IBr are primarily the 5p orbitals of iodine and the 4p orbitals of bromine, which overlap to create the molecular orbitals.
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Interhalogen Compounds

Interhalogen compounds are molecules formed from two different halogens. They exhibit unique properties that differ from those of homonuclear diatomic molecules, such as F2. Understanding the nature of interhalogen compounds, including their bond characteristics and molecular geometry, is essential for analyzing the molecular orbitals of IBr and predicting its behavior.
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