One of the molecular orbitals is bonding, one almost nonbonding, and the third antibonding. These three orbitals need to accompodate four electrons (two from the orginal A-H nond and two from the lone pair of B), so two enter the bonding orbital and two enter the nonbonding orbital. Because the antibonding orbital remains empty, the net effect-depending on the precise location of the almost nonbonding orrbital-may be a lowering of energy. | One of the molecular orbitals is bonding, one almost nonbonding, and the third antibonding. These three orbitals need to accompodate four electrons (two from the orginal A-H nond and two from the lone pair of B), so two enter the bonding orbital and two enter the nonbonding orbital. Because the antibonding orbital remains empty, the net effect-depending on the precise location of the almost nonbonding orrbital-may be a lowering of energy. |