Question

This molecule composed of excited atoms was the first observed Rydberg molecule. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this molecule, whose fully filled sigma-1s and sigma-star-1s molecular orbitals with no other MOs give it a bond order of zero. This molecule’s bond length of 5200 picometers makes it the largest diatomic molecule.
ANSWER: dihelium [or helium dimer; or He2; reject “helium”]
[10e] Despite having zero bond order in MO theory, dihelium is held together very weakly by these intermolecular forces named for a Dutch physicist. London dispersion and dipole-dipole interactions contribute to these forces.
ANSWER: van der Waals forces
[10m] Dihelium molecules have been observed to fit inside these other compounds in a host-guest relationship. These allotropes are denoted with the formula C-sub-x, where x is the number of atoms within the compound.
ANSWER: fullerenes [accept buckminsterfullerenes or buckyballs]
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Summary

Data

Pitt ACWRU B (UG)0101020
Kenyon A (UG)Michigan D (DII)010010
Michigan AMichigan C (UG)0101020
Ohio State A (UG)Michigan B10101030
Michigan State ACWRU A (UG)10101030
Michigan State B (UG)CWRU D (DII)010010
Pitt B (UG)CWRU C (UG)010010