Question

In which of the following, carbon atom has a sextet of electrons?

• A. $:{CH}_2$
• B. $.{CH}_3$
• C. ${CH}_4$
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A $:{CH}_2$

A sextet of electrons means a total of six electrons. We know that $1$ bond shares $2e^{-}$. Carbene is a molecule containing a neutral carbon atom with two bonds $\left(4e^{-}\right)$ and two unshared valence electrons.

In the $:C{H}_2$ (carbene) molecule, there are $2$ bonds of carbon with $H$, which means, $4e^{-}$ are shared, and $1$ lone pair of electrons $\left(2e^{-}\right)$ is present on the carbon atom. So, a total of $4+2=6e^{-}$ are surrounding the carbon atom, which means the carbon in the molecule has a sextet of electrons.

Hence, option (A) is correct.