Oxygen bound iodine (O-I): The Electron Localization Function (ELF) study on bonding in cis- and trans-IONO

► Iodine nitrite I-O-NO has protocovalent O-N bond. ► Description of electronic structure of cis-IONO is more challenging that for its trans isomer. ► Amount of the electron density in the I-O and O-N bonds is less than 1.2e. ► Population of the I-O bond is 0.67e (cis) and 0.64e (trans).