How would you identify the number of bonding pairs? and PJ Bond @ Fest 11 10.27.12-13

How would you identify the number of bonding pairs?

In Hybridization, I was trying to determine how to calculate the number of bonding pairs. Would a double and triple bond count as 1 bond pair or would they count as 2, and 3? Just confused with that.


Bond best answer:

Answer by Steve Watton
Usually, you see hybridization at about the time you see VSEPR (or electron domain theory, depending on the book - they're the same thing), and it's easiest to explain based on that. The confusion is understandable! It's all about shape... The double and triple bonds do indeed involve two and three pairs of bonding electrons respectively, but since they're all pointed in one direction (toward the other bonded atom), they count as one set (or domain, depending on what language you've been taught). In CO2, for example, you have two double bonds from C: four pairs of bonding electrons, but only two sets, and the molecule is linear. Linear corresponds to sp hybridization, regardless of how many single, double or triple bonds you're dealing with. If the atom of interest is trigonal planar, it's sp2, and so forth. Does that help?

Bond

PJ Bond @ Fest 11 10.27.12-13


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PJ Bond plays Fest 11 at Civic Media Center, Gainesville, FL, October 27, 2012.

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