highest occupied molecular orbital

Also known as: HOMO

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June 29, 2026

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The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is the molecular orbital that contains the highest energy electrons in a molecule. It plays a crucial role in chemical reactions, particularly in electron transfer processes and as a nucleophile. The energy of the HOMO is a key factor in determining a molecule's reactivity and its ability to donate electrons.123

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chemical bonding
Organometallic compounds
One is that the highest occupied molecular orbital, the HOMO, is largely confined to the carbon atom and can be interpreted as being a lone pair occupying an orbital with σ symmetry. This lone pair enables CO to act as a Lewis base and to link to the metal…
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One is that the highest occupied molecular orbital, the HOMO, is largely confined to the carbon atom and can be interpreted as being a lone pair occupying an orbital with σ symmetry. This lone pair enables CO to act as a Lewis base and to link to the metal…
Read More