Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Question:

In alcohols, carbon and oxygen atom are

Options:

$sp^3$ and $sp^3$ hybridised respectively

$sp^2$ and $sp^2$ hybridised respectively

$sp^3$ and $sp^2$ hybridised respectively

$sp^2$ and $sp^3$ hybridised respectively

Correct Answer:

$sp^3$ and $sp^3$ hybridised respectively

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (1) → $sp^3$ and $sp^3$ hybridised respectively

In alcohols, carbon and oxygen atoms are $sp^3$ and $sp^3$ hybridised respectively.

Reasoning:

  • The carbon bonded to $-OH$ in alcohols forms four sigma bonds $\rightarrow$ tetrahedral geometry $\rightarrow sp^3$ hybridised.
  • Oxygen in $-OH$ has two sigma bonds ($O-H$ and $O-C$) and two lone pairs $\rightarrow$ steric number $4 \rightarrow sp^3$ hybridised.

Hence, both carbon and oxygen in alcohols are $sp^3$ hybridised.