VSEPR and Bond Hybridization

AP Chemistry· difficulty 3/5

The diagram contrasts the head-on overlap of a sigma bond with the side-by-side parallel overlap that forms a pi bond.

Compared to a sigma bond, a pi bond:

A
$Always involves s orbitals only$
B
$Forms only between identical atoms$
C
$Has stronger overlap than sigma$
D
$Has weaker overlap and is broken first when a double bond reacts$
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Explanation

Side-by-side p-orbital overlap is weaker than head-on sigma overlap, so pi bonds break preferentially in addition reactions.

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