What is the hybridization of the central carbon atom in CH2O (formaldehyde)?

• A. sp3
• B. sp
• C. dsp2
• D. sp2

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule CH2O, which is the carbon atom.
2. Determine the number of regions of electron density (bonding and lone pairs) around the central carbon atom. In formaldehyde, carbon forms two single bonds with hydrogen atoms and one double bond with oxygen, totaling three regions of electron density.
3. Recall that the hybridization corresponds to the number of electron density regions: 2 regions correspond to sp, 3 regions correspond to sp2, and 4 regions correspond to sp3 hybridization.
4. Since the carbon atom in CH2O has three regions of electron density, its hybridization is sp2.
5. This sp2 hybridization allows the carbon to form three sigma bonds using three sp2 hybrid orbitals and one unhybridized p orbital to form the pi bond in the carbon-oxygen double bond.