Textbook problem 2.45

[isaiah_granados_2l]

Hi everyone,

This question asks us to identify the composition of bonds and hybridization of each lone pair for the molecule H2C=CHCHO. My confusion is regarding the two lone pairs on oxygen. The answer key says they will have Osp2 hybridization. But I am confused because I thought since they're lone pairs they wouldn't undergo hybridization. Why wouldn't the orbital just be s?

[Kaila Jung 2H]

Hi Isaiah! In the molecule H2C=CHCHO, there is one double bond and two lone pairs surrounding it. When determining hybridization, you just count how many bonds and lone pairs there are around it as you are essentially counting regions of electron density, so it would be sp2 as there are three surrounding the O.