In the cyanate ion, OCN-, carbon is the central atom.(d) Which hybrid orbitals are used by the C atom, and how many p bonds does the C atom form?

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Identify the valence electrons for each atom in the OCN- ion. Carbon (C) has 4 valence electrons, Oxygen (O) has 6, and Nitrogen (N) has 5. Additionally, consider the extra electron from the negative charge of the ion.

Determine the total number of valence electrons available for bonding in the OCN- ion. Sum the valence electrons from each atom and include the additional electron from the negative charge.

Predict the molecular structure of OCN- using the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory. Arrange the atoms to minimize repulsion between electron pairs.

Determine the hybridization of the carbon atom. Based on the arrangement of electron pairs around carbon, predict whether it uses sp, sp2, or sp3 hybrid orbitals.

Identify the types of bonds formed by the carbon atom. Look at the molecular structure and determine how many sigma (σ) bonds and pi (π) bonds are formed by carbon with the adjacent atoms.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Hybridization

Hybridization is the process of combining atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals that can accommodate the bonding requirements of an atom. In the case of carbon in the cyanate ion (OCN-), the carbon atom undergoes sp hybridization, which involves the mixing of one s orbital and one p orbital to create two equivalent sp hybrid orbitals.

Bonding and p Bonds

In covalent bonding, p bonds are formed when two atomic orbitals overlap sideways, allowing for the sharing of electrons. In the cyanate ion, the carbon atom forms one p bond with the nitrogen atom and another p bond with the oxygen atom, contributing to the overall structure and stability of the ion.

Lewis Structures

Lewis structures are diagrams that represent the bonding between atoms in a molecule and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist. They help visualize the arrangement of electrons and the types of bonds (single, double, or triple) present. For the cyanate ion, drawing the Lewis structure reveals the hybridization and the number of p bonds formed by the carbon atom.

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