Question 23.11: Formate is the compound that causes the sting of ant bites. ......
Formate is the compound that causes the sting of ant bites. Determine the hybridization of each atom in formate, then draw a simplified orbital overlap picture of formate, including lone pairs in appropriate orbitals.
STRATEGY
First, determine the hybridization of each atom by looking for conjugation, then moving to VSEPR if necessary. Next, draw an orbital overlap picture.
The electron-dot structure shows a π bond between the carbon atom and one of the oxygen atoms. The other oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons one σ bond away from a π bond and is therefore in the conjugated system. Thus, the carbon atom and both oxygen atoms are sp² hybridized. One lone pair on the oxygen atom is delocalized in the π system. All other lone pairs on oxygen are in sp² hybridized orbitals.
