I have to draw the QMM of CL2C2. For the Lewis structure i think that the two C atoms form a triple bond and the Cl atoms form single bonds.
Cl
|
C'triple bond'C
|
Cl
Therefore i think that the central C atom hybridizes into sp.
if this is correct, my question is how do i know which p orbital on C to form my sigma bonds for the Cl atoms. Does it matter?
thanks
Answered below. What does QMM stand for?
i believe it stands for quantum mechanical model. i guess my teacher shortened it but she just describes it as the flower model.
To determine which p orbital on the central carbon atom (C) is involved in forming sigma bonds with the chlorine (Cl) atoms, you can follow these steps:
1. Identify the hybridization of the central carbon atom: In this case, you correctly determined that the central carbon atom is hybridized as sp.
2. Recall that in sp hybridization, one s orbital and one p orbital hybridize to form two sp hybrid orbitals. These two sp orbitals are oriented linearly and are perpendicular to the plane defined by the three atoms (C-Cl-Cl). The remaining two p orbitals on carbon remain unchanged.
3. Determine the orientation of the sp orbitals: In your Lewis structure, the linear sp hybrid orbitals are pointing in opposite directions, with one pointing towards the left chlorine atom and the other pointing towards the right chlorine atom.
4. Select the appropriate orbital for sigma bond formation: Each chlorine atom has a singly occupied p orbital available to form sigma bonds. The chlorine atoms will overlap their p orbitals with the sp hybrid orbitals on the central carbon atom to form sigma bonds.
Since the sp orbital pointing towards the left chlorine atom overlaps with its p orbital, and the sp orbital pointing towards the right chlorine atom overlaps with its p orbital, both sigma bonds are formed simultaneously.
Therefore, in this case, it doesn't matter which p orbital on carbon you choose to form the sigma bonds for the chlorine atoms because both p orbitals are available for bonding.