
Jesse E. answered 02/10/20
Masters in Chemistry and Bachelors in Biology
To make this easy, I draw out the molecule. Keep in mind that Carbon must have 4 bonds, Hydrogen can only have one bond, and Oxygen can only have 2 bonds. As long as you follow these rules, even though you may place the hydrogens and double bonds in different positions than I do, you will have the same number of sigma and pi bonds. A sigma bond, the strongest bond, is formed by the head-on overlapping of atomic orbitals. Therefore, every bond will have at least one sigma bond. A pi bond is formed by the sideways or lateral overlapping of atomic orbitals. Therefore, they will be the other type of bonds in either a double or triple bond. To answer your question, this molecule has 13 sigma bonds and three pi bonds.
H H H H H
I I I I I
H - C = C - C = C = C - C - OH
I
H