Question

A carbon forms two bonds to two X atoms plus two more bonds to two hydrogen atoms. If the hybridization to each X has 79.7% p-character, what is the X-C-X bond angle in degrees to the nearest tenth of a degree? Hint: recall our discussion of Bent's rule and Coulson's directionality theorem.

Answer 1

Answer:

The bond angle is equal to 104.8°

Explanation:

With the Bent's rule, smaller bonds are formed between the ligands of the electronegative element, therefore, we have to:

cosθ = (p-1)/p, where p = 79.7% = 0.797

Replacing:

cosθ = (0.797-1)/0.797

θ = cos^-1(-0.254) = 104.8°