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Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Brown - Chemistry: The Central Science 14th Edition
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBrown 14th EditionCh.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding TheoriesProblem 122
Chapter 9, Problem 122

Methyl isocyanate, CH3NCO, was made infamous in 1984 when an accidental leakage of this compound from a storage tank in Bhopal, India, resulted in the deaths of about 3800 people and severe and lasting injury to many thousands more. (b) Draw a ball-and-stick model of the structure, including estimates of all the bond angles in the compound.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the atoms present in methyl isocyanate, CH3NCO. The molecule consists of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) atoms.
Determine the connectivity of the atoms. In CH3NCO, the structure is typically represented as CH3-N=C=O, where the methyl group (CH3) is attached to the nitrogen (N), which is double-bonded to carbon (C), and the carbon is double-bonded to oxygen (O).
Draw the ball-and-stick model: Represent each atom with a ball and each bond with a stick. The carbon atoms are typically black, hydrogen atoms are white, nitrogen atoms are blue, and oxygen atoms are red.
Estimate the bond angles: In the CH3 group, the H-C-H bond angles are approximately 109.5° due to the tetrahedral geometry around the carbon. The N=C=O bond angles are linear, approximately 180°, due to the sp hybridization of the carbon and nitrogen atoms involved in the double bonds.
Review the model for accuracy: Ensure that the model reflects the correct geometry and bond angles, considering the hybridization and typical bond angles associated with each atom in the molecule.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molecular Structure

Molecular structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. In the case of methyl isocyanate (CH3NCO), understanding its structure involves recognizing how the carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms are bonded and positioned relative to each other. This arrangement influences the molecule's properties and reactivity.
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Molecular Formula

Bond Angles

Bond angles are the angles formed between adjacent bonds in a molecule, which are crucial for determining its geometry. In methyl isocyanate, the bond angles can be estimated based on the hybridization of the central atoms. For example, the carbon atom in the methyl group typically has bond angles close to 109.5 degrees due to its tetrahedral geometry.
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Ball-and-Stick Model

A ball-and-stick model is a visual representation of a molecule that uses spheres to represent atoms and sticks to represent bonds. This model helps in understanding the spatial arrangement of atoms and the relative sizes of different elements. For methyl isocyanate, constructing this model will aid in visualizing the molecular geometry and estimating bond angles.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Methyl isocyanate, CH3NCO, was made infamous in 1984 when an accidental leakage of this compound from a storage tank in Bhopal, India, resulted in the deaths of about 3800 people and severe and lasting injury to many thousands more. (a) Draw a Lewis structure for methyl isocyanate.

Textbook Question

The organic molecules shown here are derivatives of benzene in which six-membered rings are 'fused' at the edges of the hexagons.

(b) Suppose you are given a sample of one of the compounds. Could combustion analysis be used to determine unambiguously which of the three it is?

Textbook Question
The organic molecules shown here are derivatives of benzenein which six-membered rings are 'fused' at the edgesof the hexagons.

(e) Benzene, naphthalene, and anthraceneare colorless, but tetracene is orange. What does this implyabout the relative HOMO–LUMO energy gaps in these molecules?See the 'Chemistry Put to Work' box on orbitalsand energy.