The outer orbitals of C in ethene molecule can be considered to be hybridized to give three equivalent sp2 orbitals. The total number of sigma (σ) and pi (π) bonds in ethene molecule is
- 3 sigma (σ) and 2 pi (π) bonds
- 4 sigma (σ) and 1 pi (π) bonds
- 5 sigma (σ) and 1 pi (π) bonds
- 1 sigma (σ) and 2 pi (π) bonds
Answer
(3) 5 sigma (σ) and 1 pi (π) bonds
Solution
Ethene: CH2=CH2
σ bonds: 4 C–H + 1 C–C = 5
π bonds: 1 (in the C=C double bond, from sideways overlap of unhybridised 2p orbitals)
∴ 5 σ and 1 π bonds
Answer: (3)