What are the differences between bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals?

Question

Accepted Answer

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

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