Question

hybridization of CL and CLF3

Answer 1

The original ClF molecule is not hypervalent, and does have sp3 hybridization on both atoms. When chlorine turns into a cationic center, it is keeping its sp3 hybridization and is able to accept two fluorine atoms. Resonance allows the axial fluorine atoms to be kept in place by the chlorine atom in ClF3.

Answer 2

When we talk about the hybridization of chlorine trifluoride we have to consider its central atom which is Cl. This atom contains 7 valence electrons while ClF3 should consist of 3 bond-pairs and 2 lone-pairs. If we take a closer look at the valence electronic configuration of Cl it is represented as 3s2, 3px2, 3py2, 3pz1, 3d...