Question

Describe the change in hybridization of the al atom

Answer 1

Now according to the given reaction the product formed AlCl4- , will only be formed if its 3pz orbital is also filled by one electron in its excited state to form a sp3 hybrid orbital .therefore Al will shift its hybridization form sp2 to sp3 to form a tetrahedral shape

Answer 2

The hybridization of Al atom changes from sp

2

in AlCl

3

to sp

3

in AlCl

4

−

.

In AlCl

3

, Al contains 3 bond pairs of electrons and zero lone pair of electrons.

Hence, it is sp

2

hybridized. In AlCl

4

−

, Al atom contains 4 bond pairs of electrons and zero lone pairs of electrons.

Hence, it is sp

3

hybridized.