During the slow, rate-determining step of a nucleophilic addition reaction, the carbonyl carbon transitions to a new hybridization state represented as . What is the integer value of the superscript ?

Question

During the slow, rate-determining step of a nucleophilic addition reaction, the carbonyl carbon transitions to a new hybridization state represented as $sp^x$. What is the integer value of the superscript $x$?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 3. In the transition from the planar carbonyl compound to the tetrahedral alkoxide intermediate, the carbon atom's hybridization shifts from (one double bond, two single bonds) to (four single bonds). Thus, the index is 3.

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