The number of sp hybridized atoms in pseudohalogen cyanogen is/are

Answer

To determine the number of sp hybridized atoms in cyanogen (C2N2), we will analyze the structure of the molecule step by step.

### Step 1: Write the molecular formula
Cyanogen has the molecular formula \( \text{C}_2\text{N}_2 \).

### Step 2: Draw the Lewis structure
1. **Count the total valence electrons**:
- Carbon has 4 valence electrons, and there are 2 carbon atoms: \( 2 \times 4 = 8 \) electrons.
- Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, and there are 2 nitrogen atoms: \( 2 \times 5 = 10 \) electrons.
- Total valence electrons = \( 8 + 10 = 18 \) electrons.

2. **Construct the skeleton structure**:
- Connect the two carbon atoms with a single bond and each carbon to a nitrogen atom with a triple bond. The structure looks like this:
\[ \text{C} \equiv \text{N} - \text{C} \equiv \text{N} \]

### Step 3: Determine the hybridization of each atom
1. **Carbon atoms**:
- Each carbon atom is involved in one single bond (to the other carbon) and one triple bond (to the nitrogen).
- The hybridization can be determined by the number of sigma bonds:
- Each carbon has 2 sigma bonds (1 from the single bond and 1 from the triple bond).
- Therefore, the hybridization of each carbon atom is \( \text{sp} \).

2. **Nitrogen atoms**:
- Each nitrogen atom is involved in one triple bond (which consists of 1 sigma bond and 2 pi bonds) and has one lone pair.
- Each nitrogen has 1 sigma bond and 1 lone pair, leading to the hybridization of \( \text{sp} \).

### Step 4: Count the number of sp hybridized atoms
- Both carbon atoms are sp hybridized (2 atoms).
- Both nitrogen atoms are sp hybridized (2 atoms).
- Total sp hybridized atoms = \( 2 \text{ (from C)} + 2 \text{ (from N)} = 4 \).

### Final Answer
The number of sp hybridized atoms in cyanogen is **4**.

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