Hybridization of Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) Molecule
Hybridization of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) molecule can be determined by ethanol's lewis structure. When you know the summation of number of sigma bonds and lone pairs in the last shell of relevant atom, hybridization of that element can be determined.
Hybridization of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms in ethanol
Both carbon atoms and oxygen atom has sp3 hybridization. But, Hydrogen atom does not show such hybridization because there is only one electron in Hydrogen's last shell.
Hybridization of carbon atoms in CH3CH2OH molecule
Each oxygen atom has made four single bonds. Therefore, all those bonds are sigma bonds and no lone pairs exist on both carbon atoms. An example of how to find hybridization of a carbon atom is given below.
- Number of sigma bonds = 4
- Number of lone pairs = 0
- Summation of sigma bonds and lone pairs = 4 + 0 = 4
- Hybridization of carbon atom: sp3
Hybridization of oxygen atom in CH3CH2OH molecule
Oxygen atom has made two single bonds. Therefore, all those bonds are sigma bonds and two lone pairs exist on oxygen atom.
- Number of sigma bonds = 2
- Number of lone pairs = 2
- Summation of sigma bonds and lone pairs = 2 + 2 = 4
- Hybridization of oxygen atom: sp3
Hydrogen atom cannot participate to hybridization because hydrogen only has one energy level, no need to find their hybridization. Hydrogen's s orbital has made bonds with sp3 hybrid orbitals of carbon and oxygen atoms.
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