Question

Which of the bonds in a carbon-oxygen double bond has more effective orbital overlap: the bond σ or the bond π ?

Short answer

The σ bond in the carbon-oxygen double bond has a more effective orbital overlap.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of sigma and pi bond.

Sigma and pi bonds both are two categories of covalent bonds. Head-to-head overlap of atomic orbitals results in the formation of sigma bonds. While pi bonds are formed as a result of the lateral overlap of an atomic orbital.

Finding out the bond that has a more effective orbital overlap.

In the case of a carbon-oxygen double bond, σ has more bond energy that makes it stronger and thus has a more effective overlap compared to π bond.