The bond order of CO (Carbon Monoxide) is 3. This means CO has a triple bond between carbon and oxygen, making it extremely stable and similar in structure to N₂.
Bond Order of CO: 3 (triple bond).
Total Electrons in CO: 14.
Isoelectronic With: N₂ (also 14 electrons, bond order 3).
CO is Toxic: Binds haemoglobin 250× stronger than O₂.
Bond Length: ~112 pm.
CO has a total of 14 electrons (C=6, O=8).
Molecular Orbital filling (like N₂ since both are isoelectronic with 14 electrons): σ1s², σ1s², σ2s², σ2s², π2p⁴, σ2p²
Bonding electrons (Nb) = 10 Anti-bonding electrons (Na) = 4
Bond Order = (Nb - Na) / 2 = (10 - 4) / 2 = 6/2 = 3
Isoelectronic molecules have the same number of electrons and same electronic structure.
CO and N₂ both have 14 electrons → same bond order of 3 → similar properties:
Despite its strong triple bond, CO is dangerous because it binds to haemoglobin in blood 250 times more strongly than oxygen, forming carboxyhaemoglobin — preventing oxygen transport.
The bond order of CO (Carbon Monoxide) is 3, indicating a triple bond between carbon and oxygen.
CO has 6+8=14 electrons and N₂ has 7+7=14 electrons — same number of electrons and same electronic configuration, giving both a bond order of 3.
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