Talk:Quintuple bond

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Are we sure that σ2π4δ2δ*2 is right? Shouldn't it be σ2π4δ4?

Wow, that's intensely embarrassing. I can't believe I didn't notice that it was wrong. Naffer 08:27, 15 February 2007 (UTC)

Ok. No it shouldn't! This is where the idea of a quintuple bond falls under close scrutiny. The energy levels occupied by the "last four" electrons fill both "bonding" and "antibonding" hydrogenetic orbitals. The question has been answered by DFT calculations which show a net negative energy on the "antibonding" delta* orbitals. It follows that the delta* orbitals have bonding character. This is not as simple as drawing a back of the envelope MO and filling it in with e-. Also, if you run a DFT calculation, the total bonding charachter it is less than five. RAW