Basis of differentiation | Bonding molecular orbitals | Anti-bonding molecular orbitals |
Definition | Are a type of molecular orbitals involved in the generation of chemical bonds | Are orbitals containing electrons outside the region between two nuclei |
Energy levels | Energy levels are comparatively lower | Energy levels are comparatively higher |
Electron density | Electron density is higher | Electron density is lower |
Geometry of molecule | The geometry of a molecule is depicted by its spatial arrangement | Geometry of a molecule is not dependent on the spatial arrangement |
Stability | Stability is comparatively higher | Stability is lower |
Electrons | Electrons play a role in creating bonds between atoms | Electrons do not play a role in creating bonds between atoms |
Asterisk | Depicted without an asterisk | Depicted with an asterisk |
Overlapping atomic orbitals | Overlapping atomic orbitals combine in phase, leading to constructive interference | Overlapping atomic orbitals combine out of phase, leading to destructive interference |