Nitric oxide molecular orbital energy-level

The molecular orbital energy-level diagram for nitric oxide (NO). The bond order is 2.5, or (8 - 3)/2. 

Prepare a molecular orbital energy level diagram for nitric oxide (NO) and predict the bond order of this molecule. On the basis of the molecular orbital diagram, what do you predict for the bond orders of NO+ and NO Which of these diatomic species would you expect to have the shortest bond length Why ... 

Figure 1 Molecular orbital energy level diagram of nitric oxide.

Molecular orbital theory then explains why NO is stable with respect to N and O atoms, and predicts that NO+ will form fairly easily. We have not explained why nitric oxide gas consists of NO molecules rather than N202 molecules, or why NO is unstable with respect to oxidation by oxygen to N02. To do this, we would have to consider orbital energy-level diagrams for N202 or N02 and 02 as well. 

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