What orbitals are used in the sigma bond of #"O"_2#?

1 Answer
Jan 11, 2018

The #2p_z# orbital, i.e. the #2p# orbital pointing directly along the internuclear (#z#) axis.


The #bbsigma#/sigma bond is always made along the internuclear axis, overlapping the orbitals head-on. By convention, for linear molecules, that is the #z# axis.

http://slideplayer.com/slide/6324136/21/images/18/

On the other hand, the one #pi# bond in #"O"_2# is made using either a #2p_x# or #2p_y# orbital (arbitrary). For #"O"_2#, there does NOT have to be hybridization, either.

See here for "when" to hybridize.