Pi (π) Bond
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The Pi (π) bonds are formed by sidewise overlap of half-filled atomic orbitals of atoms taking part in bonding. Note that sigma bonds are stronger than Pi bonds.

For graphite, two 2p and one 2s orbitals hybridize to form sp2 atomic orbitals at a lower energy level, while a single p orbital remains at the original 2p energy level. This 2p orbital forms the π and π* molecular orbitals.

The sp2 bonded solids have both σ/σ* and π/π* states available to the electrons, while for sp3 bonded solids only the σ/ σ* states present. For the diamond and graphite, electron transitions to these states generate many of the characteristic features in EEL spectra. For instance, in core loss spectra from diamond, the excitation of the 1s electrons to the σ* states generates the carbon k edge peak. For graphite, the transitions of the inner shell electrons into unoccupied π* states give a peak prior to the edge onset. In the valence band, valence electron transitions into the π* states also produce a peak at around 6 eV. Figure 2625 shows carbon (C) K edge from materials containing the carbonate anion (calcite, siderite, desautelsite, and hydrotalcite) and three allotropes of C (amorphous , graphite, and diamond). EELS profiles of amorphous C and graphite present basically the same edge shapes, with the first peak at 285 eV induced by transitions to the π* molecular orbital due to the presence of sp2 bonding, and the second, more intense peak at 290 eV induced by transitions to σ* orbitals. In diamond the bonding between the C atoms can be interpreted in terms of tetrahedrally directed sp3 hybrid orbitals, and the first peak with a maximum at 292.6 eV is identified as arising from transitions to molecular orbitals of σ* character.

Carbon K edge from calcite, siderite, desautelsite, hydrotalcite, amorphous, graphite, and diamond

Figure 2625. Carbon K edge from calcite, siderite, desautelsite, hydrotalcite, amorphous, graphite, and diamond.



