C7

Atomic Orbitals and Hybridization

  • Valence Electron Structure of Carbon

    • Outlined the valence electron configuration of carbon.

    • Noted the presence of three 2p electrons.

  • Hybridization Overview

    • Described the formation of four sp³ hybrid orbitals from the mixture of atomic orbitals.

    • Clarified that sp³ refers to the name of the resultant hybrid orbitals, not a direct combination of one s and three p orbitals.

Geometry and Arrangement of sp³ Hybrid Orbitals

  • Shape of sp³ Hybrid Orbitals

    • Arranged in a tetrahedral shape to maximize the distance between electron domains.

    • Best arrangement for four electron domains is tetrahedral geometry.

  • Examples of sp³ Hybridization

    1. Ammonia (NH₃)

    • Lewis structure shows one lone pair and three bonding groups, totaling four electron domains.

    • Result: sp³ hybridization due to the four electron domains.

    • One sp³ orbital contains a lone pair; three overlap with hydrogen 1s orbitals to form bonds.

    1. Water (H₂O)

    • Lewis structure illustrates two lone pairs and two bonding groups, also totaling four electron domains.

    • Thus, water is also sp³ hybridized.

    • Two sp³ orbitals are occupied by lone pairs; two overlap with hydrogen 1s orbitals.

Hybridization of Different Electron Domains

  • Transition from sp³ to sp² Hybridization

    • sp³ is applicable for atoms with four electron domains.

    • sp² is relevant when an atom has three electron domains, requiring three orbitals for bonds or lone pairs.

  • Formation of sp² Hybrid Orbitals

    • Electrons are drawn from 2s and two of the 2p orbitals to create three sp² hybrid orbitals.

    • Retain one 2p orbital unhybridized post-hybridization.

  • Shape of sp² Hybrid Orbitals

    • Existence in a trigonal planar geometry with an angle of 120 degrees.

    • One remaining 2p orbital remains perpendicular to the trigonal plane.

  • Example of sp² Hybridization

    1. Ethylene (C₂H₄)

    • Lewis structure showcases that each carbon atom is bonded to three groups: total three electron domains.

    • Each carbon is sp² hybridized with three sp² hybrid orbitals involved in bonds, and one unhybridized 2p orbital involved in pi bonding.

    • Bonds are composed of:

      • Sigma Bond formed via overlap of sp² orbitals.

      • Pi Bond created through the parallel overlap