Although polyethylene can twist and turn in random ways, the m...

Question

Although polyethylene can twist and turn in random ways, the most stable form is a linear one with the carbon backbone oriented as shown in the following figure:

Diagram of a linear polyethylene structure showing carbon and hydroxyl groups.

The solid wedges in the figure indicate bonds from carbon that come out of the plane of the page; the dashed wedges indicate bonds that lie behind the plane of the page. (a) What is the hybridization of orbitals at each carbon atom? What angles do you expect between the bonds?

Accepted Answer

Identify the hybridization of each carbon atom in the polyethylene structure. Each carbon atom forms four sigma bonds (single bonds), which indicates sp3 hybridization.. Recall that sp3 hybridization involves the mixing of one s orbital and three p orbitals to form four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals.. Determine the bond angles for sp3 hybridized carbon atoms. The ideal bond angle for sp3 hybridization is 109.5 degrees.. Observe the 3D structure of the polyethylene chain. The solid wedges indicate bonds coming out of the plane, and the dashed wedges indicate bonds going behind the plane.. Conclude that each carbon atom in the polyethylene chain is sp3 hybridized, and the bond angles between the carbon atoms are approximately 109.5 degrees.

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Key Concepts

Hybridization

Bond Angles

Molecular Geometry