Question Detail

CHM 102 Electronic Theory in Organic Chemistry Objective Question
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Question

Why does carbon form four bonds even though its ground state configuration (1s² 2s² 2p²) has only two unpaired electrons?
Options
A Carbon donates an electron to another atom
B One electron from the 2s orbital is promoted to the empty 2p orbital, giving four unpaired electrons (2s¹ 2p³), followed by hybridization
Correct Answer
C Carbon uses d orbitals
D Carbon always forms ionic bonds
Correct Answer

Option B is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

Carbon undergoes promotion (excitation) from 2s² 2p² to 2s¹ 2p³, creating four unpaired electrons, then hybridization occurs to form four equivalent bonds.

Hint

Promotion + hybridization.

Question Info

Course: CHM 102
Topic: Electronic Theory in Organic Chemistry
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 693 of 1999
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