Which mechanism limits the maximum bond order achievable between two atoms using molecular orbitals?

💡 Explanation

When both bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals are populated, the antibonding electrons counteract the stabilization from bonding electrons because antibonding orbitals weaken the bond. Therefore occupation of antibonding orbitals limits bond order, rather than hybridization, resonance, or vibration which do not directly reduce bond order.

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