The hybrid orbital used by carbon in CO2 are?

Question

a) sp2

b) sp3

c) sp3d2

d) sp

e) sp3d

I knw its d) sp but why please explain will give 5 pts to best answer thanks

Answer 1

This technique never fails for me: I draw the molecular structure of CO2, complete with lone pairs. 1 set of bonds (i.e. single bond, double bond, triple bond) represents 1 orbital, 1 lone pair represents 1 orbital.

The hybrid orbital order is:

sp3d5f7

For example, for 1 orbital, it's s.

For 2 orbitals: sp

3 orbitals: sp2

6 orbitals: sp2d3

You get the pattern. Anyway, the molecular structure of CO2 is:

O === C === O

Two double bonds and no lone pairs. Hence, two orbitals.

The answer is sp.