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Hybridisation

Hybridisation of C₂H₆

Each C atom is sp³ hybridised (hybridization by the VSEPR count): 4 sigma bonds and no lone pairs give a tetrahedral shape, bond angle about 109.5°.

HHHCCHHH
  • C
  • H

C₂H₆Ethane

Tetrahedral

AB₄: 4 bond pairs, no lone pairs on each C

  • Hybridisationsp³
  • Bond angleabout 109.5°
  • Polaritynon-polar

Why this shape

  1. Each C has 4 valence electrons. It uses four in one single bond to C and three single bonds to H, so none are left over.
  2. Steric number = four sigma bonds + no lone pairs = 4, so each C is sp³ hybridised.
  3. Four electron pairs point to the corners of a tetrahedron (tetrahedral electron geometry). With no lone pairs the atoms take the same shape: tetrahedral.
  4. All the bond pairs repel each other equally, so the angle is the ideal about 109.5°.
  5. Each end is a tetrahedron of C-H bonds and the two ends match, so the bond dipoles cancel.

Lewis structure

14 valence electrons
CCHHHHHH

Formal charges: none

Working

Why this hybridisation and shape

  1. Each C has 4 valence electrons. It uses four in one single bond to C and three single bonds to H, so none are left over.
  2. Steric number = four sigma bonds + no lone pairs = 4, so each C is sp³ hybridised.
  3. Four electron pairs point to the corners of a tetrahedron (tetrahedral electron geometry). With no lone pairs the atoms take the same shape: tetrahedral.
  4. All the bond pairs repel each other equally, so the angle is the ideal about 109.5°.
  5. Each end is a tetrahedron of C-H bonds and the two ends match, so the bond dipoles cancel.

Class 11, Chapter 4 Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure.

Questions

Hybridisation of C2H6: quick answers

What is the hybridisation of C2H6?

Each C has 4 valence electrons. It uses four in one single bond to C and three single bonds to H, so none are left over. Steric number = four sigma bonds + no lone pairs = 4, so each C is sp³ hybridised.

What is the shape of C2H6 and its bond angle?

Tetrahedral, with a bond angle of about 109.5 degrees. Four electron pairs point to the corners of a tetrahedron (tetrahedral electron geometry). With no lone pairs the atoms take the same shape: tetrahedral. All the bond pairs repel each other equally, so the angle is the ideal about 109.5°.

Is C2H6 polar or non-polar?

Non-polar. Each end is a tetrahedron of C-H bonds and the two ends match, so the bond dipoles cancel.

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