How does hybridization affect electronegativity?

1 Answer
P dilip_k
May 6, 2016

Electronegavity increases with the s-character of the hybrid orbital used for making covalent bond.

Explanation:

It may be explained by taking a simple example of three simplest hydrocarbons

  • Ethane #C_2H_6-> "where C uses-" sp^3 "hybrid orbital with 25% "sCharacter" #
  • Ethene #C_2H_4-> "where C uses-" sp^2 "hybrid orbital with 33.33% "sCharacter" #
  • Ethyne #C_2H_2-> "where C uses-" sp "hybrid orbital with 50% "sCharacter" #

S orbital being the orbital closer to the C- nucleus the electron pair of the bond formed by the orbital having higher s-character is attracted more towards C-atom showing higher electronegativity .

Thus the order Of EN of Carbon
Ethyne>Ethene>Ethane

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