0 votes
43 views
in Quantum Chemistry by (410 points)
What is the molecular orbital diagram of ethene (C2H4), and how does the electronic structure explain the bonding in the molecule?

1 Answer

0 votes
by (690 points)
Ethene  C2H4  is an organic compound consisting of two carbon atoms double-bonded to each other, with each carbon atom also bonded to two hydrogen atoms. To understand the molecular orbital diagram and bonding in ethene, we need to consider the atomic orbitals of carbon and hydrogen.Carbon has the electron configuration 1s 2s 2p. In ethene, carbon undergoes sp hybridization, where one 2s orbital and two 2p orbitals combine to form three sp hybrid orbitals. These sp orbitals are used to form sigma    bonds with the hydrogen atoms and the other carbon atom. The remaining 2p orbital on each carbon atom is unhybridized and forms a pi    bond between the two carbon atoms.Hydrogen has the electron configuration 1s. Each hydrogen atom contributes one 1s orbital to form a sigma bond with the carbon atom.The molecular orbital diagram of ethene can be described as follows:1. Sigma    bonds:   a. Each carbon atom forms three sigma bonds: one with the other carbon atom and two with the hydrogen atoms. These sigma bonds are formed by the overlap of sp orbitals from carbon with the 1s orbitals of hydrogen and the sp orbital of the other carbon.   2. Pi    bond:   a. The remaining unhybridized 2p orbitals on each carbon atom overlap side-by-side to form a pi bond. This bond is responsible for the double bond character in ethene.The electronic structure of ethene explains the bonding in the molecule as follows:1. The three sp hybrid orbitals on each carbon atom allow for the formation of strong sigma bonds with the hydrogen atoms and the other carbon atom, creating a planar structure.2. The pi bond formed by the overlap of the unhybridized 2p orbitals on each carbon atom results in a double bond between the two carbon atoms, which contributes to the overall stability and rigidity of the ethene molecule.In summary, the molecular orbital diagram of ethene consists of sigma bonds formed by the overlap of sp hybrid orbitals and a pi bond formed by the overlap of unhybridized 2p orbitals. This electronic structure explains the bonding in the molecule, including the planar geometry and the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond.
Welcome to Sarvan Science Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...