Question

Can cyclic hydrocarbons have an $sp$ hybridized carbon?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Sometimes
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B

No

No, a cyclic hydrocarbon cannot have an $sp$ hybridized carbon.



Take a look at this molecule for example. Let's think about the carbons in this case. These carbons need to have some freedom so that they can form a ring right?
But in the case of $sp$ carbons, they are rigid and linear. If they were involved in a ring, the angle strain would be too high and the molecule would become too unstable. This is why we can't have a triple bond in a ring structure.