Q.Number of π bonds and σ bonds in the following structure is—
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Naphthalene (CH) contains 5 double bonds, each contributing one bond. It has 8 C-H single bonds and 11 C-C bonds (from both single and double C-C bonds). Thus, there are 5 bonds and 19 bonds.
Understanding the nature of chemical bonds is fundamental to organic chemistry. Sigma () and pi () bonds are the two main types of covalent bonds formed between atoms.
- 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 bond.
- Pi () bonds: These are formed by the sideways overlap of unhybridized p-orbitals. They are weaker than bonds and are found in double and triple bonds. A double bond consists of one bond and one bond. A triple bond consists of one bond and two bonds.
To count the and bonds in a molecule, we first need its correct structural representation, showing all atoms and bonds.
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Draw the structure of Naphthalene (CH).
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 (Note: The lines represent bonds. Double lines represent double bonds, single lines represent single bonds.)
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Count the bonds.
Each double bond contains one 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 bond.
Therefore, the number of bonds is 5.
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Count the bonds.
Each single bond is a bond, and each double bond also contains one bond. We can count bonds by categorizing them into C-H bonds and C-C bonds.
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Count C-H bonds:
Naphthalene has the formula CH. This means there are 8 hydrogen atoms, and each is bonded to a carbon atom by a single bond.
Number of C-H bonds = 8.
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Count C-C bonds:
The skeletal structure of naphthalene consists of 10 carbon atoms forming two fused rings. …
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