Question

What types of orbital overlap occur in cumulene? check all that apply. hints check all that apply. p/p overlap s/sp2 overlap s/s overlap s/sp overlap sp2/sp2 overlap sp/sp2 overlap sp/sp overlap?

Answer 1

Answer: The carbons on the closures are sp² hybridized, with a p-orbital for the 'second' bond in the twofold bond with their neighboring carbons. They have those sp² orbitals covering with the s from the hydrogen, and they have a p covering in the pi bond with the neighboring carbon. They likewise have a sigma bond with the neighboring carbon I'll get to. The center carbons each have two pi bonds with their neighbors, leaving sp hybridiaztion for the rest. So they have sp/sp² with the end carbons, and sp/sp with each other. (What's more, they likewise have p/p in the pi bonds). So the total list is: s/sp² p/p sp/sp² sp/sp