In fact, real chemical bonds usually fall somewhere in between. When two atoms come together, their atomic orbitals combine to form molecular orbitals. For each two atomic orbitals combined, two ...

More information: Viktoriia Savchenko et al, Electronic structure, bonding and stability of fumarate, maleate, and succinate dianions from X-ray spectroscopy, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics ...

Structure of Iridium (Ir) dimer complex showing an Ir-Ir bonding molecular orbital populated (left) and an Ir-Ir anti-bonding molecular orbital depopulated (right) by optical excitation ...