Why in the π bond the orbitals are more stable if the electrons are in the same plane?

Question

I can’t understand, given that same charges tend to repel (and in my mind electrons tend to repel), shouldn’t it encourage having an orbital with an electron next to an orbital without an electron?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

I believe the reason why pi bonds are more stable is because pi bonds are by definition always longer than sigma bonds and as such are always at a lower energy level. Imagine the sigma bond giving the electrons a more “crowded” space while the pi bonds give the electrons more room to roam.