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Introduction
As the most abundant element in Earth's crust and atmosphere, oxygen forms stable
diatomic molecules with unique chemical bonding. Understanding the properties of
the oxygen molecule (O2) is fundamental to many scientific disciplines. This paper
examines the electronic structure, bond type, spectroscopy, and chemical
applications of molecular oxygen.
Electronic Structure
The atomic configuration of oxygen is 1s2 2s2 2p4. Molecular orbital theory
describes the formation of two covalent bonds in O2 through overlap of the 2p
atomic orbitals. The ground state has a (σg)2(σu)2(πu)4(πg)2 electron
configuration. The π orbitals are doubly occupied and do not contribute to O≡O
multiple bonding. Spin-pairing results in a triplet 3Σg- electronic ground state.
The paramagnetic character of O2 arises from the two unpaired electrons. Excitation
promotions and exchange interactions split the triplet state into distinct
spectroscopic forms: 3Σg-, 1Δg, and 1Σg+. The reactive singlet 1Δg state plays a
key role in atmospheric chemistry.
The O=O bond has a substantial bond dissociation energy of 498 kJ/mol. Equilibrium
bond lengths from 1.207Å (gas phase) to 1.218Å (solid) indicate a short, strong
bond. Population of antibonding π* orbitals in excited states causes bond
lengthening. Vibrational spectroscopy reveals a stretching frequency of 1580 cm−1
for gaseous O2.
Chemical Applications
Conclusion
References