What hybridization is involved in the carbon-carbon bonds?

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What hybridization is involved in the carbon-carbon bonds?

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Answer 1 · 2014-12-26T17:12:19

A carbon atom can form a covalent bond with another carbon atom, the most common way this is done being through a single bond (or a sigma bond).

In such a case, the sigma bond is formed between one hybridized orbital from each of the two carbon atoms.

In alkanes like ethane, carbon's orbitals are $s p^{3}$ $sp^3$ hybridized - this means that one s orbital and three p orbitals come together to form four $s p^{3}$ $sp^3$ hybrid orbitals. Single bonds can form between carbon atoms with other hybridizations as well ( $s p^{2}$ $sp^2$ with $s p^{2}$ $sp^2$ , for example).

In alkenes, carbon atoms can form double bonds; these bonds, consisting of one sigma and one pi bond, are formed with an $s p^{2}$ $sp^2$ hybridized orbital and an unhybridized p orbital.

In alkynes, the carbon atoms can form triple bonds; these bonds, consisting of one sigma and two pi bonds, are formed with an $s p$ $sp$ hybridized orbital and two unhybridized p orbitals.

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What hybridization is involved in the carbon-carbon bonds?

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