Do odd electrons make a weak or strong repulsion axis?

Odd electrons typically create a strong repulsion axis. To understand why, we need to consider the concept of electron pairing and the Pauli exclusion principle.

The Pauli exclusion principle states that no two electrons in an atom can have the same set of quantum numbers. This means that when electrons occupy the atomic orbitals, they do so in pairs with opposite spins. These pairs of electrons are more stable because the two electrons can compensate for each other's charge and spin.

However, when there is an odd number of electrons in an atom or molecule, one electron remains unpaired, resulting in an unbalanced charge distribution. This unpaired electron creates a strong repulsion axis as the repulsive forces are concentrated in one direction. This repulsion axis arises from the electrostatic repulsion between the unpaired electron and the electrons in the other orbitals.

This strong repulsion axis can have consequences for the molecule's structure and reactivity. For example, in molecules with odd-electron species like radicals, the unpaired electron can interact with other molecules or participate in chemical reactions more readily due to its unpaired nature.

In summary, odd-electron species tend to have a strong repulsion axis due to the presence of an unpaired electron, resulting in an imbalance in charge distribution and increased electrostatic repulsion forces.