dinitrosyl

Dinitrosyl is a chemical compound with the formula (NO)2. It is a dimer of nitric oxide (NO), which is a paramagnetic molecule with one unpaired electron. Dinitrosyl is a colorless gas at room temperature and pressure, but it can be stabilized in a solid form by complexation with certain ligands, such as phosphines or arsines. The compound is of interest in inorganic chemistry due to its unique bonding and structural properties.

The bonding in dinitrosyl can be described using molecular orbital theory. The two NO molecules in (NO)2 are held together by a strong σ-bond, formed by the overlap of the filled π-orbitals of the NO molecules. This results in a linear arrangement of the two NO units. The compound is also characterized by a weak π-backbonding interaction, where the filled d-orbital of the central metal (if present) donates electron density into the empty π*-orbital of the NO ligands, strengthening the NO bond.

Dinitrosyl complexes are often used as models for studying the bonding and reactivity of nitric oxide. They can be prepared by the reaction of nitric oxide with various metal-containing compounds. The properties of dinitrosyl complexes can vary depending on the central metal and the ligands present. For example, some complexes are paramagnetic, while others are diamagnetic due to the pairing of electrons in the π-backbonding orbitals.

In summary, dinitrosyl is a dimer of nitric oxide with a linear structure and strong σ-bonding. It is a useful model compound for studying the bonding and reactivity of nitric oxide and its complexes. The properties of dinitrosyl complexes can be tuned by varying the central metal and the ligands present.