Q11.40CP - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

Epinephrine (or adrenaline; see structure) is a naturally occurring hormone that is also manufactured commercially for use as a heart stimulant, a nasal decongestant, and to treat glaucoma. 

                 

1. What is the hybridization of each C, O, and N atom? 
2. How many sigma bonds does the molecule have? 
3. How many pi electrons are delocalized in the ring?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Hybridization of central atom and bond angle:

1. The hybridization of the C is sp², O-atom is sp³ and N-atom sp² is hybridized in the Epinephrine molecule.
2.  There are 26 sigma bonds in the Epinephrine molecule.
3. There are 3 pi-bonds in the Epinephrine molecule.

Step 1: Bonding

Bonding may be defined as the force of attraction between two or more atoms to form a compound. The molecule can have the same atom and a different atom.

Step 2: Hybridisation

Hybridization may be defined as the mixing of the atomic orbital to form a hybrid orbital before bonding with another atomic orbital having a similar atomic orbital.

The hybridization of the atom in the Epinephrine molecule:

C-atom: sp² hybridized 

O-atom: sp³ hybridized

N-atom: sp² hybridized.

Step 3: Sigma Bond

Sigma bond is the bond between the molecules that are formed by the head-on-overlapping of the hybrid orbitals of the atoms.

There is 26 sigma bond which is also called a single bond in the molecule.

Step 4: Pi Bond

Pi bond is the bond between the molecules that are formed by the side-on-overlapping of the hybrid orbitals of the atoms.

There are 3 pi-bond in the molecule at an alternate position.