Question

Explain the structure of $CO_2$ molecule.

Answer 1

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The experimentally determined carbon to oxygen bond length in $\sf CO_{2}$ is $\bf\small{115 \:pm}$.

The lengths of a normal carbon to oxygen double bond (C=O) and carbon to oxygen triple bond (C≡O) are 121 pm and 110 pm respectively.

The carbon-oxygen bond lengths in $\sf CO_2$ (115 pm) lie between the values for C=O and C≡O.

Obviously,

Single Lewis structure cannot depict this position and it becomes necessary to write more than one Lewis structures and to consider that the structure of $\sf CO_{2}$ is best described as a hybrid of the $\underline{\sf canonical}$ or $\underline{\sf resonance}$ forms.

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Answer 2

Answer:

Carbon dioxide has the formula $CO_2$ and at the centre of this linear molecule is a carbon atom joined by two pairs of double-bonds to the oxygen atoms, i.e O=C=O. At room temperature carbon dioxide is a colourless gas which has a slightly sweet smell. Carbon dioxide is a linear molecule with a bond angle of 180°.