How does sp2 hybridized carbon differ from sp3?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Nov 11, 2016

Here are the differences I see.

Explanation:

An "sp"^2 hybridized carbon has an unhybridized "p" orbital and three "sp"^2 hybridized orbitals in the nodal plane of the "p" orbital pointing toward the corners of an equilateral triangle at angles of 120°.

sp²sp²
(From wps.prenhall.com)

It can react with another "sp"^2 hybridized carbon atom to form both σ and π bonds.

EtheneEthene
(From www.kshitij-iitjee.com)

An "sp"^3 hybridized carbon has four orbitals pointed toward the corners of a regular tetrahedron at angles of 109.5°.

sp³sp³
(From BC Open Textbooks)

It can form only σ bonds with other atoms.

EthaneEthane
(From stereochemistryblog.blogspot.com)

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