For example, the bond angles for C2H4 are all 120 degrees. How do I find that out?
2007-01-30 04:55:40 · 3 answers · asked by Mysara e 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Gervald F. is indeed correct that valence electron pair repulsion explains a lot, especially bond angles of single bonds connecting atoms to a central atom.
C2H4 is ethylene. The two carbons of ethylene are bonded by a double bond, and are sp2 hybridized. sp2-hybridized orbitals have bond angles of 120deg. You'll just have to learn that. The sp hybridized orbitals of acetylene, C2H2, have bond angles of 180deg. The sp3 hybridized orbitals of ethane, C2H6, have 107deg bond angles.
In transition metals, you often meet dsp2 and d2sp3 hybridized orbitals. These have separate geometries of their own
2007-01-30 05:21:33 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to use VSEPR theory to predict the shape around the central atom, and then from there you can figure out the bond angle. These bond angles are not always perfect, but they are close enough and make decent assumptions.
2007-01-30 13:04:24 · answer #2 · answered by Tyler H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to look up the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory in a good text book. That will explain it all.
2007-01-30 13:03:16 · answer #3 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋