CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Compound Structure and Properties · Compound Structure and Properties
Problem
The structure of formaldehyde, CH2O, can be represented by the Lewis diagram H2C=O, where the carbon is the central atom double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to two hydrogens. All atoms satisfy the octet rule (duet for H).
Use this information to analyze the bonding in formaldehyde.
(1) Determine the hybridization of the valence orbitals on the carbon atom and on the oxygen atom.
(2) Specify the two atomic or hybrid orbitals that overlap to form the σ component of the C=O bond.
(3) Identify the orbitals that overlap to form the π component of the C=O bond.
(4) Identify the two orbitals that overlap to form one C–H σ bond.
(5) Using your answers above, explain why the C=O bond in formaldehyde has a larger bond dissociation energy than a C–H bond in the same molecule.