The geometry of a methyl carbanion is likley to be

Options

A. Pyramidal
B. Tetrahedral
C. Planar
D. Linear

Answer

To determine the geometry of a methyl carbanion, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Methyl Carbanion
A methyl carbanion (CH3^-) consists of a carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and has a negative charge due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the carbon atom.

### Step 2: Identify the Central Atom
In the methyl carbanion, the central atom is carbon.

### Step 3: Count the Bond Pairs
The carbon atom in the methyl carbanion forms three bonds with three hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the number of bond pairs is 3.

### Step 4: Count the Lone Pairs
The carbon atom has one lone pair of electrons, which contributes to the overall geometry.

### Step 5: Calculate the Steric Number
The steric number is calculated by adding the number of bond pairs and the number of lone pairs:
- Number of bond pairs = 3
- Number of lone pairs = 1
- Steric number = 3 (bond pairs) + 1 (lone pair) = 4

### Step 6: Determine the Geometry Based on Steric Number
According to VSEPR theory:
- A steric number of 2 corresponds to a linear geometry.
- A steric number of 3 corresponds to a trigonal planar geometry.
- A steric number of 4 corresponds to a tetrahedral geometry.

Since we calculated a steric number of 4, the geometry of the methyl carbanion is tetrahedral.

### Step 7: Conclusion
Therefore, the geometry of a methyl carbanion is likely to be tetrahedral.

### Final Answer
The geometry of methyl carbanion is likely to be tetrahedral.

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