Question

Explain the structure of carbonyl functional group.

Answer 1

• In the carbonyl functional group, carbon atom is attached to an oxygen atom by a double bond and remaining two valencies of carbon atom are free, and it is represented as 

 

• The carbonyl carbon atom is sp²- hybridised forming coplanar three sigma (σ) bonds with the bond angle 120°.
• One sigma bond is formed with oxygen atom while other two sigma (σ) bonds are formed with hydrogen or carbon atoms.
• The remaining unhybridised 2p_z orbital of carbon atom overlaps with p orbital of oxygen atom colaterally forming a pi (π) bond. Hence, carbon atom is joined to oxygen atom by a double bond of which one is sigma and another is n.
• The oxygen atom in the carbonyl group has two lone pairs of electrons.
• The carbonyl bond is strong, short and polarized.
• The polarity of the carbonyl group is explained on the basis of resonance involving neutral and dipolar structures as shown below :