Question

Which of the following statements are correct for carbenes?

• A. only one unshared electron is present in each orbital
• B. there is only one unpaired electron
• C. hybridization of $\mathrm{C}$ is ${\mathrm{sp}}^3$
• D. all of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D

all of the above

The correct option is (D):

The explanation for the correct answer:

All of the above:

1. Carbenes are basically the neutral divalent Carbon intermediates with the two non-bonding electrons.
2. And the electrons are covalently bound to the two monovalent atoms or the groups.
3. The Carbon atom in a singlet Carbene is ${\mathrm{sp}}^2$ hybridized.
4. While the Carbon atom in the triplet Carbene is $\mathrm{sp}$ hybridized.
5. So, the Carbon atom in ${\mathrm{CCl}}_2$ is just ${\mathrm{sp}}^2$ hybridized and so will reside in the singlet form.
6. Therefore, as a result, all the statements are correct.

Hence, the correct option is (D): all of the above.