Three hydrocarbons—ethane (C2H6), ethene (C2H4), and ethyne (C2H2)—each contain C–C and C–H bonds.
Answer the following questions about the bonding in these molecules.
(a) For each molecule, state the hybridization of every carbon atom.
(b) Rank the C–C bonds in the three molecules from shortest to longest. Provide a clear explanation that references both the type of bond(s) present and the orbitals involved in the overlap.
(c) Rank the C–C bonds from highest to lowest average bond energy. Justify your ranking with reference to bond order and orbital overlap strengths.
(d) Rank the C–H bonds in the three molecules from highest to lowest average bond energy, and fully explain the trend in terms of hybridization and percent s character of the carbon orbitals.