November 26, 2024, 12:39:26 AM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Number of unhybridized valence shell P orbitals  (Read 1190 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline OrganicH2O

  • Regular Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 79
  • Mole Snacks: +3/-0
Number of unhybridized valence shell P orbitals
« on: May 12, 2019, 05:58:36 PM »
I attached the molecule as a picture. The question is "how many unhybridized valence shell P orbitals does this molecule have?" The correct answer is nine.

My understanding is that each pi bond contains two p orbitals, which brings it up to 4 p orbitals.

I am also guessing the bromine will add some p orbitals, because halogens making only single bonds, and especially larger atoms like 3rd/4th row, will commonly not hybridize their orbitals. But bromine would only have three p orbitals in its valence shell, which means that the answer would be seven. So where do the other two p orbitals come from?
I have a Master's in organic chemistry and I am exposed to a LOT of different introductory organic chem classes in the course of my work, ranging from very basic to Harvard. I am here to refine my knowledge and consult with other organic chemistry nerds.

Sponsored Links