Topic: SP² Hybridisation

SP² Hybridisation :

From Organic chemistry point of view Hybridisation can be calculated very simply by calculating steric numbers.
Steric number is the sum of total sigma bonds and lone pair electrons on an atom.

For example in HCHO ( Formaldehyde) , the carbon has only 3 sigma bonds , one pi bond and no lone pairs. Note that Pi bond is not counted in steric number. Here the steric number of Carbon atom is just 3, therefore Carbon atom is SP² hybridised.

SP² hybridised Carbon atom has Planar geometry and the ideal bond angle is 120⁰. In formaldehyde , a carbon atom forms three sigma bonds, the valence-shell 2s orbital combines with two valence-shell 2p orbitals to form three equivalent sp2 mixed orbitals in a trigonal planar arrangement around the carbon to horm bond with two different H atoms and one O atom. One of the pure P orbital of Carbon overlap with another pure p orbital of O to form Pi bond.

Planar Geometry of Formaldehyde

H-C-O Angle | C-H Distances | Remove measurements