Final answer:
The hydrate of cyclopropanone is more stable primarily because when it hydrates, the sp2 hybridization changes to sp3, reducing angle strain in the molecule. Additionally, the formation of a stable covalent bond between the oxygen atom in water and the carbonyl carbon also enhances the stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hydrate of cyclopropanone is more stable mainly due to the decrease in angle strain upon hydration. Cyclopropanone itself is a ring compound having sp2 hybridized carbon, which tends to possess considerable angle strain given its deviation from the ideal sp2 angle of 120°. When cyclopropanone becomes a hydrate, water adds to the carbonyl group, changing the sp2 hybridization to sp3, which has an ideal angle of 109.5°.
This angle is much closer to the natural bond angle in the three-member ring, reducing the angle strain and stabilizing the molecule. This concept can be linked to the general enhancement of stability in many molecules that accompanies transformation from sp2 to sp3 hybridization.
Moreover, it's also crucial to note that when water adds to cyclopropanone, the oxygen atom in water (a lone electron pair donor) forms a bond with the carbonyl carbon(an electron pair acceptor), resulting in a stable covalent bond. This interaction also contributes to the overall stability of the hydrate.
Learn more about Chemical Stability