Answer
Largest Coplanar Unit in a Molecule
This page provides a detailed explanation of how to identify the largest coplanar unit in a molecule, particularly focusing on the 1,3-butadiene system in organic chemistry.
Step 1: Identify the Coplanar Atoms
In the given molecular structure, the largest coplanar unit includes four carbon atoms that are part of a conjugated system:
- The leftmost carbon of the double bond (C=C)
- The two central carbon atoms joined by a single bond (C–C)
- The rightmost carbon of the second double bond (C=C)
Step 2: Understanding the Structure
These four carbon atoms form a 1,3-butadiene segment represented as:
C = C – C = C
This segment is:
- Planar due to sp² hybridization
- Conjugated allowing π-electron delocalization
Why Are These Atoms Coplanar?
The atoms remain coplanar because the π-orbitals in the conjugated system need to be aligned. This alignment is only possible when the involved carbon atoms are in the same plane, allowing for maximum orbital overlap and electron delocalization.
✅ Final Answer: The largest coplanar unit consists of the four carbon atoms in the 1,3-butadiene system (C=C–C=C).