Why and What are SP Carbon Orbitals When Hydrogens/Protons Removed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HeartSoul132
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Carbon Orbitals
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the nature of sp carbon orbitals when hydrogens or protons are removed from carbon atoms, specifically in the context of a carbon anion (C-). Participants explore the hybridization states of the carbon atoms involved, considering both theoretical and structural implications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for clarification on the sp orbitals of two carbons after the removal of hydrogens/protons.
  • Another participant suggests that one carbon remains sp2 while the other likely has a p orbital, prompting a need for further explanation.
  • A different participant expresses the view that both carbons are sp2.
  • One participant points out a discrepancy in the hydrogen count for the carbon beta to nitrogen and questions the hybridization of the orbital after hydrogen removal.
  • For the carbon alpha to nitrogen, the same participant asserts that the C-H bond electrons are sp2 before hydrogen removal and questions the hybridization state of the orbital post-removal.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the hybridization states of the carbon atoms, with multiple competing views presented regarding whether the orbitals are sp2 or p.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the hybridization states, particularly in relation to the presence of hydrogen atoms and the resulting electron configurations after their removal.

HeartSoul132
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
When the hydrogens/protons are removed, leaving C-, can someone please tell me what and why the SP orbitals of these two carbons are?

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5333/40529044.jpg

Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
On one it remains sp2 and on the other it is very likely a p orbital. You have to match up and explain which is which.
 
It seems like they are both sp2 to to me :O
 
For the carbon beta to the nitrogen, you show only one hydrogen where two exist. Remove one of the hydrogens (generating the C- anion) and you have the electron in an orbital. Is that orbital hybridized as sp2 or p?

For the carbon alpha to the nitrogen (the enamine carbon) the electrons in the C-H bond are clearly sp2 before you remove the hydrogen and generate the anion. After you generate the anion, is that orbital hybridized as sp2 or p?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K