Molecular structure, molecular orbitals, stereochemistry Flashcards
What is empirical formula
A simple formula which shows the ratio of atoms in a molecule
How do you obtain the empirical formulae
Through elemental microanalysis
How do you obtain molecular formula
You need the empirical formula and the relative molecular mass
How can you obtain the relative molecular mass
Through spectrometry
What is skeletal structural formula
An abbreviation which represents carbon-to-carbon framework through lines
What does the molecular orbital model indicate
Electrons in atoms occupy the atomic orbitals and electrons in molecules occupy molecular orbitals
When is an orbital full
When it contains 2 electrons of opposite spin
How are molecular orbitals made
By combining atomic orbitals (the number of molecular orbitals formed is equal to the number of atomic orbitals that combine)
What is a bonding molecular oribital
A molecular orbital that has less energy than the 2 atomic orbitals that made it
What is an antibonding molecular orbital
A molecular orbital with a higher energy level than the 2 atomic orbitals that combined to produce it.
Whats the difference between bonding/antibonding molecular orbits
Bonding molecular orbits embrace both nuclei whereas antibonding molecular orbital doesn’t. Antibonding molecular orbitals have more energy.
How is a sigma bond produced
When the atomic orbitals overlap along the axis of a covalent bond.
What can a sigma bond be referred to as
‘end-on’ overlap
How do two parallel p orbitals bond
Bond laterally - ‘side-on’ and form a Pi bond
How do Pi bonds arise
When Atoms form multiple bonds
Whats the difference between ‘side-on’ and ‘end-on’ overlaps
‘side-on’ overlaps are less efficient and which means Pi bonds are weaker than sigma bonds
Define hybridisation
The process of mixing atomic orbitals within an atom to generate a set of new atomic orbitals called hybrid orbitals.
What is an sp*3 hybrid orbital
when the one ‘2s’ orbital mixes with the 3 ‘2p’ orbitals to form 4 hybrid orbitals.
Why do degenerate sp*3 orbitals point towards the corners of a tetrahedron
To minimise repulsion
How can you tell how many hybrid orbitals were formed
It is equal to the number of atomic orbitals that were mixed
How do alkanes form bonds
The carbons 4 ‘sp3’ orbitals overlap ‘end-on’ with other hydrogens (1s orbitals) and carbons (sp3 orbitals) to make 4 sigma bonds which will adopt a tetrahedral arrangement.
How does bonding in alkenes occur with reference to orbitals
2 p orbitals mix with the s orbital to make 3 sp*2 orbitals while the remaining 2p orbital is left unhybridised
Why do sp*2 orbitals lie in a trigonal pyramidal arrangement
To minimise repulsions