O2 Formal charge stability

[205873468]

What does the formal charge of O2 tell us about the stability of it? I am confused because I thought once the octet rule is fulfilled, it is stable and all molecules/atoms want to be stable.

[Esmeralda Polanco]

In molecular orbital theory, O2 is described as a combination of two oxygen atoms' atomic orbitals forming molecular orbitals. The molecular orbitals are distributed over both oxygen atoms, and this theory provides a more accurate description of O2's electronic structure. So, while formal charges can be a helpful tool, especially for simpler molecules, molecular orbital theory is often necessary for a more accurate understanding of the stability and electronic structure of more complex molecules like O2.

[Hansika_Sakshi_2k]

The formal charge gives us the MOST stable version of the molecule. This is different because an oxygen molecule with a completed octet may have different formal charges. For example 4 covalent bonds 2 bonds will have a formal charge of +2 while 2 covalent bonds and 4 lone electrons will be more stable with a 0 formal charge.