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

Answer

To determine the number of sp hybridized atoms in the pseudohalogen cyanogen (C2N2), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Cyanogen
Cyanogen has the formula C2N2 and its structure can be represented as:
\[ \text{N} \equiv \text{C} - \text{C} \equiv \text{N} \]
This indicates that there are two carbon atoms and two nitrogen atoms, with triple bonds between the nitrogen and carbon atoms.

### Step 2: Identify Hybridization of Carbon Atoms
1. **For the first carbon atom (C1)**:
- It is bonded to one nitrogen atom via a triple bond and to the second carbon atom via a single bond.
- The steric number is calculated as follows:
- Sigma bonds: 1 (to nitrogen) + 1 (to carbon) = 2
- Lone pairs: 0
- Therefore, the steric number = 2 + 0 = 2, which indicates that C1 is **sp hybridized**.

2. **For the second carbon atom (C2)**:
- It is bonded to the first carbon atom via a single bond and to the second nitrogen atom via a triple bond.
- The steric number is calculated similarly:
- Sigma bonds: 1 (to carbon) + 1 (to nitrogen) = 2
- Lone pairs: 0
- Therefore, the steric number = 2 + 0 = 2, which indicates that C2 is also **sp hybridized**.

### Step 3: Identify Hybridization of Nitrogen Atoms
1. **For the first nitrogen atom (N1)**:
- It is bonded to one carbon atom via a triple bond.
- The steric number is:
- Sigma bonds: 1 (to carbon) = 1
- Lone pairs: 1 (one lone pair)
- Therefore, the steric number = 1 + 1 = 2, which indicates that N1 is **sp hybridized**.

2. **For the second nitrogen atom (N2)**:
- It is bonded to the second carbon atom via a triple bond.
- The steric number is calculated similarly:
- Sigma bonds: 1 (to carbon) = 1
- Lone pairs: 1 (one lone pair)
- Therefore, the steric number = 1 + 1 = 2, which indicates that N2 is also **sp hybridized**.

### Step 4: Count the Total Number of sp Hybridized Atoms
From the analysis:
- C1 is sp hybridized.
- C2 is sp hybridized.
- N1 is sp hybridized.
- N2 is sp hybridized.

Thus, the total number of sp hybridized atoms in cyanogen is **4** (2 carbon atoms + 2 nitrogen atoms).

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

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