Question

Determine the hybridization and geometry around the indicated carbon atoms.

Determine the hybridization and geometry around the indicated carbon atoms.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Concepts and reasons

The molecule is given in which different carbon atoms have been marked whose hybridization and geometry needs to be calculated. Firstly, calculate the hybridization of the marked atoms by steric number, then deduce the geometry according to the hybridization calculated.

Fundamentals

Hybridization is the process of mixing the atomic orbitals of comparable energies in an atom to generate a set of new atomic orbitals which are equal in energy and shape is called hybridization.

To determine the steric number for calculating the hybridization of an atom, count the number of bond pairs + lone pairs which gives the type of orbitals involved in hybridization. The hybridization and the corresponding geometry resulting from the hybridization is listed below:

Only single bonds are included in bond pairs. Double bonds and triple bonds are not used in determining the steric number as well as the geometry of the molecule.

‎Draw the structure of given molecule and show the hybridization and geometry for the carbon marked A as shown below:

The steric number for carbon atom marked as A is 4. Therefore, the hybridization is ${\rm{s}}{{\rm{p}}^{\rm{3}}}$ and the corresponding geometry of the molecule is tetrahedral.

Draw the structure of given molecule and show the hybridization and geometry for the carbon marked B as shown below:

The steric number for carbon atom marked as A is 3. Therefore, the hybridization is ${\rm{s}}{{\rm{p}}^2}$ and the corresponding geometry of the molecule is trigonal planar.

Draw the structure of given molecule and show the hybridization and geometry for the carbon marked C as shown below:

The steric number for carbon atom marked as ‘C’ is 2. Therefore, the hybridization is ${\rm{sp}}$ and the corresponding geometry of the molecule is linear.

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