Is My Assumption on Chemical Bonding in Hydrocarbons Correct?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the assumptions regarding chemical bonding in hydrocarbons, specifically methane and ethyne. It is established that every single covalent bond around a carbon atom is indeed a sigma bond, while in double and triple bonds, only one bond is a sigma bond and the others are pi bonds. Furthermore, when a carbon atom forms four sigma bonds, it utilizes sp3 hybrid orbitals. The assertion that there can be two pi bonds instead of a sigma and a pi bond in certain configurations is incorrect.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of covalent bonding in hydrocarbons
  • Knowledge of sigma and pi bonds
  • Familiarity with sp3 hybridization
  • Basic principles of molecular geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the concept of hybridization in organic chemistry
  • Learn about the differences between sigma and pi bonds
  • Explore molecular geometry and its implications on bonding
  • Investigate the bonding in other hydrocarbons like butyne and benzene
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of chemical bonding in hydrocarbons.

Harmony
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While studying chemical bonding for methane,ethyne etc., I have made the following assumption to help me to remember the sigma bond, pai bond, and hybrid orbitals.
1. Every single covalent bond around a carbon atom is a sigma bond.
2. Only one of the bond in double and triple covalent bond is a sigma bond. The others are pai bond.
3. If there are 4 sigma bond around a single carbon atom, sp^3 hybid orbitals are involved.

Is my assumption wrong? Or they are just suitable for certain hyddrocarbon?
 
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Actually it is not necessarily true that there is atleast one sigma bond in a double or triple bond. This is because since the bonds repell each other, you are going to have two pi bonds rather than a sigma and a pi. I am not completely sure though.
-scott
 
Thats right, if there are 4 bonds from a carbon, they are sp3.
 

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