Which types of atomic orbitals overlap to form the C–Cl bond in CH3Cl?

• A. sp3 orbital of carbon and 3p orbital of chlorine
• B. sp2 orbital of carbon and 2p orbital of chlorine
• C. sp2 orbital of carbon and 3p orbital of chlorine
• D. sp3 orbital of carbon and 2p orbital of chlorine

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the hybridization of the carbon atom in CH\textsubscript{3}Cl. Since carbon forms four single bonds (three with hydrogen and one with chlorine), it undergoes sp\textsuperscript{3} hybridization.
2. Recognize that the chlorine atom is in the third period of the periodic table, so its valence electrons occupy the 3s and 3p orbitals. The bonding involves the 3p orbital of chlorine.
3. Understand that the C–Cl bond is a sigma (\u03c3) bond formed by the overlap of orbitals along the internuclear axis.
4. Determine that the sigma bond forms from the overlap of the sp\textsuperscript{3} hybrid orbital of carbon with the 3p orbital of chlorine.
5. Conclude that the correct orbital overlap for the C–Cl bond in CH\textsubscript{3}Cl is between the sp\textsuperscript{3} orbital of carbon and the 3p orbital of chlorine.