N,N-diethyl-m-tolumide (DEET)is the active ingredient in many mosquito repellents.What is the hybridization state of carbon indicated by the arrow in the structure of DEET shown below?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The arrow indicates the carbon atom in the carbonyl group, which is the C=O bond. The carbon atom in this bond is sp2 hybridized, meaning it has one s orbital and two p orbitals that combine to form three hybrid orbitals that are oriented in a trigonal planar geometry. The lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom contributes to the hybridization state of the carbon, resulting in the hybridization state of sp².

N,N-Diethyl-M-Tolumide (DEET)is the Active Ingredient in Many Mosquito Repellents