DF - Shapes of organic molecules Flashcards
What shape do single-bonded carbon atoms have bonds arranged like?
A tetrahedron.
What shape do double-bonded carbon atoms have bonds arranged like?
Equilateral triangle.
What types of bonds can there be in organic molecules?
Sigma or Pi bonds.
When is a sigma bond formed?
When 2 orbitals overlap in a straight line in the space between 2 atoms.
What does a sigma bond give and what does this say about them?
The highest possible electron density between the 2 positive nuclei so sigma bonds are usually very strong.
What type of bond is a sigma bond?
A single covalent bond.
What type of bonds is a double bond made up of?
A sigma bond and a Pi bond.
When is a pi bond formed?
When 2 p orbitals overlap sideways. It’s got 2 parts to it - 1 ‘above’ and 1 ‘below’ the molecular axis. This is because the p orbitals which overlap are dumbbell shaped.
Which are weaker - Pi or sigma bonds and what does this mean?
Pi bonds meaning that a double bond is less than twice as strong as a single bond.
What determines the basic shape of a molecule?
Electron repulsion.
