What is the overall molecular geometry of propene (C3H6)? Is it primarily two-dimensional or three-dimensional?

• A. Propene has a three-dimensional (tetrahedral) shape throughout the entire molecule.
• B. Propene is a linear molecule with all atoms in a straight line.
• C. Propene has a primarily two-dimensional (planar) shape due to its double bond and arrangement of atoms.
• D. Propene has a trigonal pyramidal geometry at every carbon atom.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular structure of propene (C3H6), which consists of three carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, with one double bond between two of the carbon atoms.
2. Examine the hybridization of each carbon atom: the carbon atoms involved in the double bond are sp2 hybridized, leading to trigonal planar geometry around those carbons, while the carbon with only single bonds is sp3 hybridized, leading to a tetrahedral geometry.
3. Understand that the sp2 hybridized carbons and the double bond create a planar region in the molecule, causing the atoms connected to these carbons to lie mostly in the same plane.
4. Recognize that the sp3 hybridized carbon (the one bonded to the double-bonded carbons) has a tetrahedral geometry, which introduces some three-dimensional character, but the overall shape is dominated by the planar arrangement around the double bond.
5. Conclude that because the double bond enforces planarity and the majority of the molecule's atoms lie in or near this plane, propene has a primarily two-dimensional (planar) molecular geometry rather than a fully three-dimensional shape.