Answer to Question #124360 in Organic Chemistry for Abubakar

Question

With a suitable example, show the type of hybridization in the following classe of hydrocarbon:
Alkane

Answer 1

Hybridization of Alkane: In the alkanes the carbon atom undergoes sp³ hybridisation. sp³ hybridisation can be explained by taking the example of  a alkane molecule (CH₄). In sp³ hybridisation, there is mixing of one s-orbital and three p-orbitals of the valence shell to form four sp³ hybrid orbital of equivalent energies and shape. The four sp³ hybrid orbitals so formed are directed towards the four corners of the tetrahedron. These four hybrid orbitals overlap with 1s orbitals of hydrogen atoms to form four C-H sigma bonds in CH₄. There is 25% s-character and 75% p-character in each sp³ hybrid orbital. The angle between sp³ hybrid orbital is 109°28¢.