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Multiple Choice
In ethene (), what orbitals are used to form the carbon-carbon double bond?
A
One – sigma bond and one – pi bond
B
One – pi bond and one – sigma bond
C
Two – sigma bonds
D
One – sigma bond and one – pi bond
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the hybridization of each carbon atom in ethene (C2H4). Since each carbon forms three sigma bonds (two with hydrogen and one with the other carbon), the carbons are sp2 hybridized.
Recall that sp2 hybridization involves mixing one s orbital and two p orbitals to form three sp2 hybrid orbitals, which lie in a plane and form sigma bonds.
Understand that the carbon-carbon double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond. The sigma bond is formed by the head-on overlap of sp2 hybrid orbitals from each carbon.
Recognize that the pi bond arises from the side-by-side overlap of the unhybridized p orbitals (one on each carbon) that remain after sp2 hybridization.
Therefore, the carbon-carbon double bond in ethene is composed of one sp2–sp2 sigma bond and one p–p pi bond.