Question #93d0a

1 Answer
Jul 10, 2016

No, there is no need for hybridization in :CO:+.

It's a diatomic linear molecule, and both atoms have all the necessary orbitals to make their bonds. So, no hybridization is required.

  • There are one sigma (σ) and two pi (π) bonds made between C and O, since a triple bond contains one σ and two π bonds.
  • The σ bond is made via a C2pzO2pz head-on overlap. That is enough to make this bond, because each atom has one 2pz atomic orbital.
  • The first π bond is made via a C2pxO2px sidelong overlap. That is enough to make this bond, because each atom has one 2px atomic orbital.
  • The second π bond is made via a C2pyO2py sidelong overlap. That is enough to make this bond, because each atom has one 2py atomic orbital.

Finally, the nonbonding electron pair on C and that on O (otherwise known as "lone pairs") are stored in nonbonding molecular orbitals, which were nonbonding because they:

  • could not overlap to form bonds because they weren't compatible with any other orbitals (incorrect symmetry).
  • did not hybridize (because they didn't need to)

Lastly, if it were CO2, then yes, there would be hybridization, but on CO:+, no. The molecule has to have more than two atoms to require hybridization.

(:..O=C=..O: has sp hybridization on carbon and sp2 hybridization on oxygen.)