Question

The structure of melatonin incorporates two nitrogen atoms. What are the hybridization state and geometry of each nitrogen atom? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

Let us see the structure of given compound melatonin

The two nitrogen atoms appear to be sp3 hybridized but the actual hybridization of both the nitrogens in the structure is sp2 as they have to gain planar geometry so that they can participate in the resonance making the compound more stable

so answer is

sp2 hybridized

trigonal planar geometry