Antibonding molecular orbital

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-000667",
  "term": "Antibonding molecular orbital",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A molecular orbital formed by the out-of-phase combination of atomic orbitals, resulting in a region of zero electron density (a node) between the nuclei. Electrons occupying an antibonding orbital weaken the chemical bond between atoms. These orbitals are higher in energy than the atomic orbitals from which they are formed.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "molecular orbital",
    "valence"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1923 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/antibonding-molecular-orbital/"
}