CH 106 - Lesson 2
Home Up Hybridization Covalent Bonding Sigma Bonds Types of Hybridization Double Bonds Pi Bonds Triple Bonds Comparing Hybrid Types Valence

 

Comparing Hybrid Types

Let's add to our earlier summary of hybridization by adding the pi bonding aspect to the comparison.

Type of Hybrid sp3 sp2 sp
Atomic orbitals used s, p, p, p s, p, p s, p
Number of hybrid orbitals formed 4 3 2
Number of atoms bonded to the C 4 3 2
Number of sigma bonds 4 3 2
Number of left over p orbitals 0 1 2
Number of pi bonds 0 1 2
Bonding pattern |
- C -
|		 \  
   C =
/   		= C =
or
- C º

Note that the the number of atoms bonded to the carbon atom and the number of sigma bonds are equal to the number of hybrid orbitals. Also, the number of pi bonds formed is equal to the number of p orbitals that were not hybridized. In each case, the total number of bonds (sigma and pi) and the total number of orbitals (hybrid and p) is four. These are some relationships to keep in mind as you sort through the bonding arrangements and hybridization that occurs in various organic compounds.

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Clackamas Community College
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