Question

Identify the molecule with p-p orbital overlapping.

• A. Hydrogen
• B. Hydrogen bromide
• C. Hydrogen chloride
• D. Chlorine

Answer 1

The correct option is D Chlorine

$\bullet$ When a p-orbital of an atom containing an unpaired electron overlaps with the p-orbital of another atom containing unpaired electron to form a covalent bond it is called a p-p orbital overlap.

$\bullet$ The electronic configuration of hydrogen atom is ${\text{1s}}^1$. The hydrogen atom does not have p orbitals. Therefore, p - p orbital overlap cannot take place in all the above hydrogen containing molecules.

$\bullet$ The electronic configuration of chlorine is $\text{[Ne]}{\text{3s}}^2{\text{3p}}^5$. Chlorine atom has an unpaired electron in its 3p orbital. Therefore, both 3p orbitals with unpaired electrons in chlorine atoms overlap to form a covalent bond. Hence, chlorine molecule will have p-p orbital overlapping.