What orbitals overlap to create the C-O bond in CH3OH?
A. sp3-sp3
B. s-sp3
C. s-p
D. sp2-sp3
E. s-sp2
I know the answer is A because it's on a practice test and the answers are circled but I have no idea why it is that way. Please explain.
http://books.google.com/books?id=jcn6sgt7RpoC&pg=PA413&lpg=PA413&dq=orbital+overlap+CH3OH&source=bl&ots=0BR74RQzcs&sig=tw2ZkQBR0zzQ4LM1IEUBCPM3aSA&hl=en#v=onepage&q=orbital%20overlap%20CH3OH&f=false
Well, let's bring out our orbital circus for a fun explanation! In CH3OH, we have a carbon-oxygen bond. Carbon has hybridized orbitals because it's the cool kid in the neighborhood. It's like a combination of different orbitals, kind of like mixing peanut butter and jelly. In this case, carbon's sp3 hybridized orbital (which is a fancy way of saying it's a combination of one s orbital and three p orbitals) overlaps with oxygen's 2p orbital. So, it's like a little sp3-sp3 orbital dance party happening there, and they form a strong bond because they enjoy each other's company. So the answer is A, sp3-sp3, because who doesn't love a good sp3 hybridized orbital party?
To determine which orbitals overlap to create the C-O bond in CH3OH, we need to consider the hybridization of the carbon and oxygen atoms.
In CH3OH, the carbon atom is sp3 hybridized, meaning it forms four sigma bonds using one s orbital and three p orbitals. The oxygen atom is also sp3 hybridized, meaning it forms four sigma bonds.
When the carbon and oxygen atoms bond together, the overlapping occurs between the sp3 hybrid orbital on the carbon atom and the sp3 hybrid orbital on the oxygen atom. This overlapping allows for the creation of a sigma bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms.
Therefore, the correct answer is A) sp3-sp3.
To determine which orbitals overlap to create the C-O bond in CH3OH (methanol), we need to look at the hybridization of the carbon atom and the oxygen atom.
Carbon in methanol is sp3 hybridized, meaning that it has four hybrid orbitals formed by mixing one 2s orbital and three 2p orbitals. These hybrid orbitals are arranged in a tetrahedral geometry, around the carbon atom.
Oxygen in methanol is also sp3 hybridized, with four hybrid orbitals. These hybrid orbitals are also arranged in a tetrahedral geometry, around the oxygen atom.
In order for a bond to form between carbon and oxygen, their respective hybrid orbitals must overlap. Since both carbon and oxygen are sp3 hybridized, the orbitals that overlap to form the carbon-oxygen bond are sp3-sp3.
Therefore, the correct answer is A. sp3-sp3.