Question

Please explain why the correct answer is correct

Studies indicate that the methyl radical is trigonal planar. Based on this, which of the following best describes the methyl radical? The carbon is sp^2 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies an sp^2 orbital. The carbon is sp^2 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies an sp^2 orbital. The carbon is sp^3 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies an sp^3 orbital. The carbon is sp^3 hybridized and the unpaired electron occupies a 2p orbital.

Answer 1

The carbon atom in the methyl radical is sp² hybridized. In methyl free radical, CH₃^. , the carbon atom have 4 valence electron.The valence electron configuration is 2s² 2p². In order to form bonding, one of the paired electron in 2s² will get excited into 2p orbital resulting a configuration of 2s¹ 2p³.However only three of the valence electron will be used to form bonding with 3 hydrogen atom respectively. Since there will only 3 bonding is taking place, the 2s orbital and two of 2p orbital will hybrized to form degenerate three hybridized orbitals of sp². The 3^rd 2p orbital which contains one lone electron which is not involved in bond do not need to under go hybridization.

Therefore the correct option is (B)