How many sigma and pi bonds are in CH₃COOH?

In CH₃COOH, also known as acetic acid, we can determine the number of sigma and pi bonds by analyzing its structure.

The molecular structure of acetic acid is as follows:

1. The carbon atom in the methyl group (CH₃) is bonded to three hydrogen atoms by single bonds. These are all sigma bonds.
2. The carbon atom in the carboxyl group (COOH) is double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). The double bond consists of one sigma bond and one pi bond.
3. The oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group is bonded to a hydrogen atom by a single bond, which is a sigma bond.

To summarize:

• CH₃ group contributes: 3 sigma bonds.
• COOH group contributes: 1 sigma bond (C-O), 1 pi bond (C=O), and 1 sigma bond (O-H).

Now, adding them up:

• Total sigma bonds: 3 (from CH₃) + 2 (1 from C=O and 1 from O-H) = 5 sigma bonds.
• Total pi bonds: 1 (from the C=O double bond).

Therefore, in CH₃COOH, there are a total of 5 sigma bonds and 1 pi bond.