Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

σ* orbital (sigma* orbital; sigma antibonding orbital): The antibonding molecular orbital component of a σ bond. In this orbital the electron density is located away from the bond axis.

A simplified representation of the σ* orbital component of the C-F σ bond of methyl fluoride. This is an antibonding molecular orbital.


A simplified representation of the σ orbital component of the C-F σ bond of methyl fluoride. This is a bonding molecular orbital.