Structure and Bonding

For example Ethyne - C2H2: In the formation of ethyne both the carbon atoms undergo 'sp' hybridisation
leaving two unhybridised orbitals on each (2py and 2pz). One 'sp' hybrid orbital of one carbon atom overlaps
axially with the 'sp' hybrid orbital of the other carbon atom to form C-C sigma bond. The remaining hybridised
orbital of each carbon atom overlap axially with half filled orbital of hydrogen forming sigma bond. Each of the
two unhybridised orbitals of one carbon atom overlaps sidewise with the similar orbitals of the other carbon
atom to form two pi bonds.

Type of
hybridisati
on
sp3
2

sp

Number of
orbitals
used
1s and 3p

Number of
unused
p-orbitals
Nil

Bond

Bond
angle

Geometry

% s-character

Four -

109.5

Tetrahedral

25 or 1/4

1s and 2p

One

Three -

120

Trigonal

33.33 or 1/3

180

Linear

50 or 1/2

One -
sp

1s and 1p

Two

Two -
Two -

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Bond Parameter
i)

Bond length: Bond length is defined as the average equilibrium distance between centers of the nuclei of the
two bonded atoms in a molecule. Since the bond length is a very small quantity so it is expressed in
angstrom unit or picometer unit
Each atom of the bonded pair contributes to the bond length and in case of a covalent bond the contribution
from each atom is called the covalent radius of that of that atom.
Factors affecting the Bond length
A. Atomic size: more the size of the bonded atoms more the bond length for ex.
HI> HBr> HCl