5.1.3: Molecular orbitals from d orbitals

• in transition metals and heavier elements, the d orbitals may combine with other orbitals of compatible symmetry and energy to form molecular orbitals
• there are three types of bonding and antibonding interactions that may occur with d orbitals: sigma, pi, and delta bonds
• sigma bonds are symmetric with respect to the inter-nuclear axis (z)
• pi bonds are those with one node that is in-plane with the internuclear axis
• delta bonds are those with two nodes that are in-plane with the internuclear axis
• all bonding and non-bonding interactions require that orbitals have compatible symmetry to form productive interactions