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Name: Jessica
Status: student
Age: 17
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000
Question:
Can a sigma bond and pi bond occur at the same time for the same reaction??

Replies:
Dear Jessica,

I'm not sure what you mean by "occur," but it is not usually possible to have a pi bond without also having a sigma bond (although it is common to have a sigma bond without a pi bond). This is because pi bonds form from the sideways overlap of unhybridized p orbitals, whereas sigma bonds in a pi-bonding situation form from the head-to-head overlap of hybrid orbitals (sp or sp^2).

I hope this helps - try rewording your question if this answer wasn't sufficient.

best,
prof. topper


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