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NCERT Exemplar · Q8

Q.Number of π bonds and σ bonds in the following structure is—

Naphthalene: two fused six-membered carbon rings drawn with alternating double bonds and eight C–H hydrogens
Figure
(i) 6, 19
(ii) 4, 20
(iii) 5, 19
(iv) 5, 20
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Naphthalene (C10_{10}H8_8) contains 5 double bonds, each contributing one π\pi bond. It has 8 C-H single bonds and 11 C-C σ\sigma bonds (from both single and double C-C bonds). Thus, there are 5 π\pi bonds and 19 σ\sigma bonds.

Understanding the nature of chemical bonds is fundamental to organic chemistry. Sigma (σ\sigma) and pi (π\pi) bonds are the two main types of covalent bonds formed between atoms.

  • Sigma (σ\sigma) bonds: These are formed by the direct, head-on overlap of atomic orbitals (s-s, s-p, or p-p axial overlap). They are the strongest type of covalent bond and are present in all single, double, and triple bonds. A single bond always consists of one σ\sigma bond.
  • Pi (π\pi) bonds: These are formed by the sideways overlap of unhybridized p-orbitals. They are weaker than σ\sigma bonds and are found in double and triple bonds. A double bond consists of one σ\sigma bond and one π\pi bond. A triple bond consists of one σ\sigma bond and two π\pi bonds.

To count the σ\sigma and π\pi bonds in a molecule, we first need its correct structural representation, showing all atoms and bonds.

  1. Draw the structure of Naphthalene (C10_{10}H8_8).

    Naphthalene consists of two fused benzene rings. It has 10 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms. The two rings share two carbon atoms. Each of the other 8 carbon atoms is bonded to one hydrogen atom. A common Kekulé structure for naphthalene is shown below:

    Naphthalene (C10H8) - two fused benzene rings; 5 pi bonds, 19 sigma bonds
    Naphthalene (C10H8) - two fused benzene rings; 5 pi bonds, 19 sigma bonds

    (Note: The lines represent bonds. Double lines represent double bonds, single lines represent single bonds.)

  2. Count the π\pi bonds.

    Each double bond contains one π\pi bond. By examining the Kekulé structure above, we can count the double bonds:

    • There are 5 double bonds in the naphthalene structure.
    • Each of these 5 double bonds contributes one π\pi bond.

    Therefore, the number of π\pi bonds is 5.

  3. Count the σ\sigma bonds.

    Each single bond is a σ\sigma bond, and each double bond also contains one σ\sigma bond. We can count σ\sigma bonds by categorizing them into C-H bonds and C-C bonds.

    • Count C-H σ\sigma bonds:

      Naphthalene has the formula C10_{10}H8_8. This means there are 8 hydrogen atoms, and each is bonded to a carbon atom by a single bond.

      Number of C-H σ\sigma bonds = 8.

    • Count C-C σ\sigma bonds:

      The skeletal structure of naphthalene consists of 10 carbon atoms forming two fused rings. …

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