Consider the following structure H2C=O. What is the hybridization of the carbon atom?
What is the H-C-O bond angle? What is the functional group? What orbitals overlap in the C-H bonds?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The structure you’ve provided, H2C=O, represents formaldehyde, a simple organic compound with the molecular formula CH2O. Let’s break down each part of the question:
Hybridization of the Carbon Atom:
In formaldehyde, the carbon atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom through a double bond. To determine the hybridization of the carbon atom, we consider the number of regions of electron density around it.
- The carbon is involved in one sigma bond with each hydrogen atom, and one sigma and one pi bond with the oxygen atom.
- Since there are three regions of electron density around the carbon atom (two C-H bonds and one C=O double bond), the carbon atom is sp2 hybridized.
This sp2 hybridization indicates that the carbon has three sp2 hybrid orbitals forming sigma bonds with the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, while the unhybridized p orbital participates in the pi bond of the C=O double bond.
H-C-O Bond Angle:
The H-C-O bond angle in formaldehyde is approximately 120°. This is because the carbon atom adopts an sp2 hybridization, which forms a trigonal planar geometry around the carbon. In a trigonal planar structure, the ideal bond angles are 120°.
Functional Group:
The functional group in formaldehyde is the aldehyde group. The aldehyde group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to at least one hydrogen atom, which is exactly what we see in the structure H2C=O.
Orbitals Overlap in the C-H Bonds:
In the C-H bonds, the carbon atom’s sp2 hybrid orbitals overlap with the 1s orbitals of the hydrogen atoms. This creates sigma bonds between the carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Summary:
- The hybridization of the carbon atom in H2C=O is sp2.
- The H-C-O bond angle is approximately 120°.
- The functional group is an aldehyde.
- The orbitals involved in the C-H bonds are sp2 (from carbon) and 1s (from hydrogen).
Now, I’ll generate an image of the structure.
Here is the structural formula of formaldehyde (H2C=O) showing the bonding and hybridization details of the carbon atom, which is sp2 hybridized. Let me know if you’d like further clarification!