Here’s a explanation:
Bonding Molecular Orbitals
- Formed when metal and ligand orbitals combine nicely.
- Lower in energy → more stable.
- Electron density is between the metal and ligand → stronger bond.
Antibonding Molecular Orbitals
- Formed when metal and ligand orbitals cancel each other.
- Higher in energy → less stable.
- Electron density is away from the bond → weaker bond.
Simple idea:
- Bonding MO → stronger, stable bond
- Antibonding MO → weaker, unstable bond