Chapter 9, Problem 111AE

Carbon monoxide, CO, is isoelectronic to N₂.
a. Draw a Lewis structure for CO that satisfies the octet rule.
b. Assume that the diagram in Figure 9.46 Q can be used to describe the MOs Of CO. What is
the predicted bond order for CO? Is this answer in accord with the Lewis structure you drew in
part (a)?
c. Experimentally, it is found that the highest energy electrons in CO reside in a MO Is
that observation consistent With Figure 9.46 Q? If not, What modification needs to be made to
the diagram? How does this modification relate to Figure 9.43Q?
d. Would you expect the MOs of CO to have equal atomic orbital contributions from the C
and O atoms? If not, which atom would have the greater contribution?