Question

In which of the following molecules the central atom does
not have sp³ hybridization?
(a) NH₄⁺ (b) CH₄ (c) SF₄ (d) BF₄⁻

Answer 1

Option (c) is the right answer

• The central atom of the molecule SF₄ doesn't have sp³ hybridization.

• Formula of Hybridization : H = ½ [ V+M-C+A]

where ,

M = no of monovalent atom

V = number of valence electrons of central atom

C = total positive charge

A = total negative charge

: Hybridization of SF₄ --> ½[6+4−0+0]=5

: SF₄ has sp³d hybridization because the number of hybrid orbitals in this molecule is 5.

Answer 2

SF4 is the molecule in which the central atom does not have sp3 hybridization.

H- Hybridization.

• for NH4+,
• H=0.5 [5+4-1+0]=4
• therefore sp3
• for CH4,
• H=0.5[4+4-0+0]=4
• therefore sp3
• for SF4,
• H=0.5[6+4-0+0]=5
• therefore sp3d
• for BF4-,
• H=0.5[3+4-0+1]=4
• therefore sp3
• Thus,
• SF4 has sp3d hybridization.
• where as,
• NH4+, CH4 and BF4- have sp3 hybridization.