Structure & bonding questions

In summary, potassium methoxide (KOCH3) has both covalent and ionic bonds, with the potassium and oxygen forming an ionic bond and the carbon and hydrogen forming a covalent bond. The reason for the instability of cyclopentyne is due to the repulsion caused by the sigma and pi bonds being 180 degrees from the remaining hybrid orbital. A positively charged carbon atom in a carbocation (C+H3) has 7 electrons, making it trigonal planar instead of trigonal pyramidal like the carboanion. However, according to Wikipedia.org, it only has 6 electrons.
  • #1
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Homework Statement



A) Potassium Methoxide, KOCH3 has both covalent & ionic bonds...Which are which?

B) Why do you suppose no one has created a stable cyclopentyne molecule?

C) How many electrons does a positively charged Carbon atom in a carbocation (C+H3) have? Why is it trigonal planar, and not trigonal pyramidal, like the carboanion?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



A) Since Potassium has only one electron to share...it would give it up quickly to the Oxygen creating an ionic bond while at the other end, CH3 is covalent.

B) Cyclopentyne is unstable because the sigma & pi bonds are 180 degrees from the remaining hybrid orbital, which creates a strong repulsion. OR The energy released may blow out the other bonds trying to be made.

C) I figured 7 electrons, because the charge is 1 positive...but Wikipedia.org says in the intro that it has 6 electrons.
 
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  • #2
A) Okay, but you probably need to say something about why the C-O bond is covalent, otherwise you just arrived at it by process of elimination.
B) Okayish I suppose. Although cyclopentyne has been synthesized. It's stable but reactive if you ask me.
C) Count the electrons, or draw the lewis structure.
 

Related to Structure & bonding questions

1. What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds?

Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positive and negative ions. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.

2. How do you determine the type of bond formed between two atoms?

The type of bond formed between two atoms is determined by the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms. If the electronegativity difference is greater than 1.7, the bond is considered ionic. If the difference is less than 1.7, the bond is considered covalent.

3. What is the octet rule?

The octet rule states that atoms will gain, lose, or share electrons in order to achieve a stable outer electron configuration with 8 valence electrons.

4. Can atoms have more or less than 8 valence electrons?

Yes, some atoms can have less than 8 valence electrons and still be stable. These are known as incomplete octets. Other atoms can have more than 8 valence electrons, known as expanded octets, but this is typically only seen in elements in the third period and beyond on the periodic table.

5. How does bond polarity affect the properties of a molecule?

Bond polarity refers to the uneven distribution of electrons in a covalent bond. This can result in a molecule having a positive and negative end, known as a dipole. This can affect the molecule's physical properties, such as its melting and boiling points, as well as its reactivity with other molecules.

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