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Chemist Linus Pauling first developed the hybridisation theory in 1931 to explain the structure of simple molecules such as methane (CH 4) using atomic orbitals. [2] Pauling pointed out that a carbon atom forms four bonds by using one s and three p orbitals, so that "it might be inferred" that a carbon atom would form three bonds at right angles (using p orbitals) and a fourth weaker bond ...
In particular, Pauling introduced the concept of hybridisation, where atomic s and p orbitals are combined to give hybrid sp, sp 2, and sp 3 orbitals. Hybrid orbitals proved powerful in explaining the molecular geometries of simple molecules like methane, which is tetrahedral with an sp 3 carbon atom and bond angles of 109.5° between the four ...
In these compounds, it is not possible for the carbon atoms to assume the 109.5° bond angles with standard sp 3 hybridization. Increasing the p-character to sp 5 (i.e. 1 ⁄ 6 s-density and 5 ⁄ 6 p-density) [5] makes it possible to reduce the bond angles to 60°. At the same time, the carbon-to-hydrogen bonds gain more s-character, which ...
In fact, the carbon atoms in the single bond need not be of the same hybridization. Carbon atoms can also form double bonds in compounds called alkenes or triple bonds in compounds called alkynes. A double bond is formed with an sp 2-hybridized orbital and a p-orbital that is not involved in the hybridization. A triple bond is formed with an sp ...
In organic chemistry, molecules which have a trigonal pyramidal geometry are sometimes described as sp 3 hybridized. The AXE method for VSEPR theory states that the classification is AX 3 E 1. Phosphine, an example of a molecule with a trigonal pyramidal geometry.
Hybridization is a model that describes how atomic orbitals combine to form new orbitals that better match the geometry of molecules. Atomic orbitals that are similar in energy combine to make hybrid orbitals. For example, the carbon in methane (CH 4) undergoes sp 3 hybridization to form four equivalent orbitals, resulting in a tetrahedral shape.
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In chemical bonds, an orbital overlap is the concentration of orbitals on adjacent atoms in the same regions of space. Orbital overlap can lead to bond formation. Linus Pauling explained the importance of orbital overlap in the molecular bond angles observed through experimentation; it is the basis for orbital hybridization.