How do you determine sp sp2 and sp3 orbitals?

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How do you determine sp sp2 and sp3 orbitals?

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-07T13:33:48

Look at the number of valance electrons.
If there are 3 valance electrons it will be $s p^{2}$ $sp^2$
If there are 4 valance electrons it will be $s p^{3}$ $sp^3$

Explanation:

Paired electrons typically do not form chemical bonds. (Paired electrons do form intermolecular bonds)
So the paired s electrons gain a little energy to jump into open p orbitals in order to form chemical bonds. The gain in ethalpy is balanced by stability gained by forming chemical bonds.

In Aluminium $A l_{13}^{27}$ $Al_13^27$ the ground state electron structure is
$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{1}$ $1s^2 2s^2 2p^1$ In the ground state Aluminum can form only 1 bond but by hybridizing the s orbital with 2 p orbital Aluminum can form three chemical bonds $(A l^{+} 3)$ $(Al^+3)$ . At +3 Aluminum is very stable having obtained the noble gas structure of Neon.

In Carbon $C_{6}^{12}$ $C_6^12$ the ground state electron structure is
$1 s^{2} 2 s^{2} 2 p^{2}$ $1s^2 2s^2 2p^2$ This leaves one p orbital open. In ground state Carbon can only form 2 bonds as in Carbon Monoxide. CO.
By hybridizing the 1 s and 3 p orbitals, Carbon can form 4 bonds. as in $C O_{2}$ $CO_2$

So if there are only three valance electrons it is $s p^{2}$ $sp^2$
If there are four valance electrons it is $s p^{3}$ $sp^3$

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How do you determine sp sp2 and sp3 orbitals?

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