The hybridization of the oxygen atom labeled y in the structure below is __________. The C-O-H bond angle is __________. A)sp, 180° B)sp², 109.5° C)sp³, 109.5° D)sp³d², 90° E)sp, 90°

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The oxygen atom labeled y in the structure is bonded to two carbon atoms and one hydrogen atom. Thus, it has three electron pairs and requires three orbitals for hybridization. Two of these orbitals will be sp2 hybridized for the two C-O sigma bonds, and the third orbital will be a non-hybridized p orbital for the lone pair of electrons. Therefore, the hybridization of the oxygen atom labeled y is sp³. The C-O-H bond angle is approximately 109.5°, which is the ideal angle for tetrahedral electron geometry.

The Hybridization of the Oxygen Atom Labeled Y in the Structure