how do you find the bond order of the C-C and C-N bonds in the molecule CH3CN? (I know how to do this for diatomics but I don't know how in this scenario)

Question

chmvijay · Answer

you want to find it based on molecular orbital diagram :)
bond order is nothing but the no of bonds formed between those atoms

anonymous · Answer

so count the number of electrons in C-C bond (12) and use then fill the molecular orbital diagram and use the same technique as diatomics?

chmvijay · Answer

yup

anonymous · Answer

thanks! i'll give that a try!

chmvijay · Answer

Bond order =1/2 { no of electron in bonding orbitals- no of electron in anti bonding orbitals)

anonymous · Answer

$$(\sigma1s)^2(\sigma*1s)^2(\sigma2s)^2(\sigma*2s)^2(\pi*2p)4 $$

so 8 in bonding orbitals - 4 in antibonding orbitals = 4 then divide by 2 = 2 
the answer in the solution manual says it's 1. 
are they just simply asking for the the bond order between a C-C which is a single bond = 1?

chmvijay · Answer

yup may be

anonymous · Answer

okay got it, thank you! haha made an easy problem to complicated

chmvijay · Answer

i dont know exactly :) but it is not simple one as they have put 
how do you find ? in question

kc_kennylau · Answer

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