Question #b7b17

1 Answer
Dylan C.
Dec 3, 2014

A sigma bond can be formed by the overlap between:

  • Normal orbital-normal orbital ( #H_2# Neither atom has to hybridize in this example. )
  • Hybridized orbital-normal orbital ( #HCl# Chlorine hybridizes in this example. )
  • Hybridized orbital-hybridized orbital (the carbon-carbon #sigma# bond in #C_2H_4# both carbon atoms in this example are hybridized.)

The answer to your question is tricky because when oxygen hybridizes it has the same number of unpaired electrons; so its' ability to react really isn't changed. The Oxygen might or might not hybridize in #CO_2#.

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