Question

The hybridization of Carbon in ethylene is:

Answer 1

Hybridization:

• “Hybridization is defined as the process of intermixing of the orbitals of slightly different energies so as to redistribute their energies, resulting in the formation of a new set of orbitals of equivalent energies and shape.”

Hybridization of Carbon in ethylene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$

• Ethylene is another name for ethene.
• The electronic configuration of carbon in its ground state $(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^2)$ will change to an excited state and change to $1s^{2}2s^{1}2{p_x}^{1}2{p_y}^{1}2{p_z}^1$.
• In the excited state, carbon needs electrons to form bonds.
• One of the electrons from $2s^2$ orbital will be shifted to the empty $2p_z$ orbital to give 4 unpaired electrons.
• Only the $2s,2p_x,2p_y$, orbitals in carbon participate in hybridization. $2p_z$ orbital remains changes.
• As a result formation of three $s{p}^2$ hybridized orbitals takes place.
• A double bond between two carbon atoms is formed in this molecule as shown in the structure given below:-

• Hence, the hybridization of carbon in ethylene is $s{p}^2$.
• Due to $s{p}^2$ hybridization,the shape of ethylene is planar.