Abstract

The importance of hybrid atomic orbitals, in both general and organic chemistry, is reviewed. Every contemporary textbook of organic chemistry introduces the directed-valence (e.g. sp3, sp2, sp) model, but the suitability of these hybrid orbitals for use in the teaching of molecular structure has been increasingly questioned. Based on a critical survey of the literature, we submit seven practical criteria that deprecate the use of hybrid orbitals in a pedagogical context. We suggest how the teaching of organic chemistry without hybrid orbitals will provide students with an enhanced education.

Highlights

  • In Part 1, we present a critique of hybrid atomic orbitals from a logical perspective (Lamoureux & Ogilvie, 2019)

  • In Part 2 here, we examine the practical problems with this concept as a pedagogical model, focusing on the HYBRID ATOMIC ORBITALS (HAO) in only organic chemistry with their limitations as delineated in Part 1, and on how to overcome these challenges

  • We indicated at the beginning of the semester that any use of hybrids or hybridization can be replaced with geometric arguments

Read more

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In Part 1, we present a critique of hybrid atomic orbitals (which we abbreviate HAO) from a logical perspective (Lamoureux & Ogilvie, 2019). In Part 2 here, we examine the practical problems with this concept as a pedagogical model, focusing on the HAO in only organic chemistry with their limitations as delineated in Part 1, and on how to overcome these challenges. We list seven practical criteria that deprecate their use in a pedagogical context. On the basis of these two articles, we maintain that the HAO model is seriously flawed from a mathematical, logical, experimental, practical and, necessarily, pedagogical point of view

USE OF HYBRIDIZATION IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY
Lamoureux and Ogilvie
SPECIFIC CRITIQUE OF HYBRID ATOMIC ORBITALS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
PREVIOUS CRITIQUE OF HYBRID ORBITALS VERSUS OUR PERSPECTIVE
TEACHING WITHOUT HYBRID ATOMIC ORBITALS
CONCLUSIONS

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.