Q1-1-40E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

What kind of hybridization do you expect for each carbon atom in the following molecules?

(a)

                                               Procaine

(b)

                                             Vitamin C(Ascorbic acid)

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

(a)

                                       Hybridization of carbon in Procaine

(b)

                                       Hybridization of carbon in Vitamin C

Hybridization of carbon atoms

Generally, a carbon atom with four single bonds is sp³ hybridized and carbon with one double bond is sp² hybridized and carbon with one triple bond is sp hybridized respectively.

a) Hybridization of carbons in procaine

Procaine compound has both sp² and sp³ hybridized carbon. The structure showing the hybridisation of carbon is depicted as:

                            Hybridization of carbons in procaine

(b) Carbon atoms in vitamin C, i.e., ascorbic acid, are hybridized. The structure showing the hybridisation of carbon is defined as:

                                          Hybridization of carbons in vitamin C