Understand Carbon Bonding: Electron Movement?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the formation of carbon double bonds, specifically focusing on the movement of electrons involved in this process. Participants explore the conceptual and visual representation of electron interactions in carbon bonding, with references to mechanisms and foundational chemistry concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant attempts to illustrate the electron movement in a carbon double bond but is met with criticism regarding the accuracy of the representation.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the initial drawing and suggests that understanding mechanisms is essential for grasping electron movement.
  • There is a request for a simpler explanation of how carbon's four valence electrons contribute to the formation of a double bond, indicating a desire for foundational knowledge rather than advanced mechanisms.
  • A participant mentions the octet rule and the rarity of quadruple bonds, suggesting that the initial drawing may violate this principle.
  • Discussion includes references to Lewis dot diagrams and hybridization, indicating varying levels of familiarity with chemical concepts among participants.
  • One participant emphasizes that the inquiry is more about understanding where the electrons in the bond originate rather than the mechanisms of their movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing levels of understanding and familiarity with the topic, leading to a lack of consensus on the best way to explain the formation of carbon double bonds. Some participants challenge the initial representation while others seek clarification on foundational concepts.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing assumptions regarding participants' knowledge levels, and the discussion reflects a range of understanding about basic chemistry concepts, such as the octet rule and electron pairing.

HeartSoul132
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When Carbon double bonds to another carbon, does one of each's electrons move like this?
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4566/bondb.jpg
 
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That mechanism is completely wrong. What mechanism are you trying to draw and why does the lone pair in the middle have wings?
 
No specific mechanism, trying to draw a Carbon double bond with another in terms of electrons so I can understand. What's wrong with it?
 
Have you went over the section on how to draw a mechanism yet? That helps a lot on understanding how elections move.
 
No, I haven't. Mind telling me how each Carbon's 4 valence electrons move, then to get C=C?
 
Skim over the section first because you seem confused and it's a lot to explain.
 
I'm not asking that much... how does a C=C bond form in terms of 4 valence electrons? It's WAY before reaction mechanisms in my book, so I think you are overcomplicating it a bit.
 
I'm not sure what it is you're asking so maybe I shouldn't be replying... I'm only in high school level chem

So you know that violates the octet rule, right? Carbon would have to form a quadruple bond with another carbon in order for it to be right in terms of the octet rule... but according to wikipedia that doesn't usually happen.

For your diagram, the unbonded electrons aren't paired, the way I've been doing it with Lewis dot diagrams, that part's right...

oh, and... wikipedia has this to say: "Carbon atoms can also form double bonds called alkenes or triple bonds called alkynes. A double bond is formed with an sp2 hybridized orbital and a p-orbital that isn't involved in the hybridization."

But you didn't say anything about orbitals so...

Ehn, sorry, I know I'm no help...
 
I don't want to complicate things for you because I don't know where you are in your course but generally, elections don't move that way. I think you're book is just trying to sample what you will be learning much farther along the course. Before you learn how to form double bonds, you must first learn how to form single bonds. Before you learn how to form single bonds, you must know the meaning of an electrophile and nucleophile. If you can't represent that on a drawing then it really has no meaning but if that's what you're book is showing you right now then just go with it.
 
  • #10
I think Sonic7145 just wants to know where do the electrons in the bond come from - this is an exercise in accounting, not mechanisms.
 

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