Ethyne (C2H2)

Linear alkyne with orthogonal π degeneracy; pairs with MO treatments of bond order and IR/Raman selection ideas. Teaching note: figures illustrate qualitative electronic structure; quantitative benchmarking should use larger bases, dispersion, and experimental structures.

Geometry
Linear
Polarity
Nonpolar
Bond angle
180°
Hybridisation
sp
VSEPR
AX2
Bonds
1 σ + 2 π between carbons
Molecular orbitals
10 valence MOs; orthogonal π bonds and low-lying π* acceptors.
SMILES
C#C

Electron density: spin-paired GPAW (PBE) on an isolated gas-phase geometry; molecular orbitals: restricted mean-field RHF with sto-3g in PySCF unless noted.

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