Question

What is the shape of following compounds? 

(i) H₂C = O 

(ii) CH₃ – F 

(iii) H – C ≡ N

Answer 1

(i) In H₂C = O, C is sp² -hybridized, hence formaldehyde is trigonal planar.

(ii) In CH₃ – F, C is sp³ -hybridized, hence methyl fluoride is tetrahedral. 

(iii) In H – C ≡ N, C is sp-hybridized, hence HCN is a linear molecule.