1. Structure of Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl acetate has the following structure:
```
O
||
CH3-C-O-CH2-CH3
```
2. Valence Electrons
* Carbon (C): 4 valence electrons
* Hydrogen (H): 1 valence electron
* Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons
3. Sigma Bonds
Sigma bonds are the strongest type of covalent bond and are formed by the direct overlap of atomic orbitals. Let's count the sigma bonds in ethyl acetate:
* C-H bonds: There are 6 C-H sigma bonds (3 in each methyl group).
* C-C bonds: There are 2 C-C sigma bonds (one between the carbonyl carbon and the adjacent carbon, and one in the ethyl group).
* C-O bonds: There are 2 C-O sigma bonds (one between the carbonyl carbon and the oxygen, and one between the oxygen and the ethyl group).
Total Sigma Bonds: 6 + 2 + 2 = 10
4. Valence Electrons in Sigma Bonds
Each sigma bond involves 2 valence electrons (one from each atom participating in the bond). Therefore, the total number of valence electrons involved in sigma bonds in ethyl acetate is:
10 sigma bonds * 2 valence electrons/sigma bond = 20 valence electrons
Answer: 20 valence electrons are used to make sigma bonds in ethyl acetate.
