Chemistry Chemical Bonding MDCAT 2017
PMDC Verified Question 91 of 102
pi-bond is formed by sideways overlap of:
A
s-orbital
B
d-orbital
C
p-orbital
D
None of these
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option C: p-orbital
Concept:

A pi (\( \pi \)) bond is formed by the lateral (sideways or parallel) overlap of unhybridized atomic orbitals.

Formula:

$$ \pi \text{ bond} = \text{Parallel overlap of } p\text{-orbitals} $$

Solution:

  • An s-orbital is spherical and can only participate in head-on (sigma) overlaps.


  • p-orbitals are dumbbell-shaped. When two parallel p-orbitals are adjacent, they can overlap sideways above and below the internuclear axis to form a pi-bond.


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A: Spherical s-orbitals cannot overlap sideways.
  • Option B: While d-orbitals can form pi bonds in transition metals, p-orbital overlap is the fundamental and primary answer expected in standard organic and basic inorganic chemistry contexts.

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