What atomic or hybrid orbital on C makes up the sigma bond between C and Cl in carbon tetrachloride, C Cl_4?

1 Answer
David Drayer
May 22, 2018

The hybrid sp^3 orbital

Explanation:

Carbon has four valance orbitals 1 s and 3 p s
In the ground state the electron configuration is 1s^2 2s^2 2p^2

In the ground state Carbon can only form 2 bonds as in Carbon monoxide. CO To form 4 bonds as in Carbon tetrachloride C Cll_4 Carbon has to blend all four orbitals the 1 s and 3 p s. This forms four equal sp^3 tetrahedral orbitals. Each of the Cl atoms forms a sigma bond with one of these four equal hybridized orbitals.

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