QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Determine the electron geometry of C^2H^2 (skeletal structure HCCH).
(Hint: Determine the geometry around each of the two central atoms.)
A. trigonal planar
B. linear
C. pentahedral
D. hexahedral
E. tetrahedral
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Answer
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Step 1:: Determine the electron geometry around the carbon atom bonded to two other atoms (central carbon).
The central carbon atom in C^2H^2 is bonded to two carbon atoms and has no lone pairs. According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the repulsion between electron pairs around the central atom will determine the geometry.
Step 2:: Identify the hybridization of the central carbon atom.
Since the central carbon atom is bonded to two other carbon atoms, it has 2 sp hybrid orbitals. The sp hybridization results in a linear geometry.
Step 3:: Determine the electron geometry around the carbon atom bonded to hydrogen atoms (terminal carbon).
The terminal carbon atom is bonded to one carbon atom and two hydrogen atoms. It has 3 electron domains (2 sigma bonds and 1 lone pair), resulting in a trigonal planar geometry.
Step 4:: Compare the geometries of the two carbon atoms.
The central carbon atom has a linear geometry, and the terminal carbon atom has a trigonal planar geometry.
Step 5:: Identify the molecular geometry based on the geometries of the central atoms.
Since the central carbon atom has a linear geometry, and the terminal carbon atom has a trigonal planar geometry, the overall molecular geometry of C^2H^2 is linear.
Final Answer
The electron geometry of C^2H^2 is linear (Option B).
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