Question

Below is a 3D representation of a cyclohexane (C₆H₁₂) molecule! a cyclic compound used in the manufacture of nylon and found in the distillation of petroleum. 

What is the molecular geometry around each carbon atom? Be sure to rotate the molecule to see all atoms.

Answer 1

Concepts and reason

Before overlapping with 1s orbital of hydrogen, first the atomic orbitals of carbon undergoes hybridization to form hybrid orbitals. The hybrid orbitals involve in bond formation with hydrogen. Hence, the geometry around each carbon atom in the molecule depends on the type of hybridization it undergoes.

Fundamentals

The geometry around the carbon for ${\rm{s}}{{\rm{p}}^3}$ hybridized atom is tetrahedral. The geometry around the carbon for ${\rm{s}}{{\rm{p}}^2}$ hybridized atom is planar triangular. The geometry around the carbon for ${\rm{sp}}$ hybridized atom is linear.

The 3D geometry of cyclohexane $\left( {{{\rm{C}}_{\rm{6}}}{{\rm{H}}_{{\rm{12}}}}} \right)$ is as shown below:

The hybridization of each carbon in this molecule is ${\rm{s}}{{\rm{p}}^3}$ .

The molecular geometry around each carbon atom in a cyclohexane molecule is tetrahedral.

Ans:

The molecular geometry around each carbon atom in a cyclohexane molecule is tetrahedral.