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The methylene radical CH2 has just 6 electrons around the central carbon. The lowest energy methylene is "triplet" methylene with two unpaired electrons. Simple VSEPR cannot predict the bond angle which is measured as being 133 0. A slightly higher energy form has no unpaired electrons and the angle is measured at 102 0. This is in accord with simple VSEPR theory which would predict a decrease in bond angle from 120 0 due to repulsion of the lone pair.

In compounds the -CH2- unit in alkanes such as propane the bond angles are close to 109 0 the tetrahedral angle (sp3 hybridisation). When =CH2 terminates an alkene such as ethene (ethylene) the bond angle is close to 120 0, (sp2 hybridisation)

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11y ago

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