The pair of electrons in the given carbanion, CH3C C-, is present in which of the following orbitals?
- sp2
- sp
- 2p
- sp3
Answer
(2) sp
Solution
The negatively charged carbon is triple bonded ⇒ it forms one σ bond and two π bonds.
⇒ It is sp hybridised: one sp orbital forms the σ bond with the other carbon, the other sp orbital holds the lone pair.
∴ The pair of electrons is in an sp orbital (50% s-character, which also makes this carbanion relatively stable).
Answer: (2)