Question

What is the hybridisation of the central atom in (1) H3O+, (2) XeF2, (3) XeF4? What are their geometry

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

(1) XeF2:

The Lewis structure of XeF2 is: xef2

The molecule has 22 valence electrons. There are five electron pairs around xenon (two bonding pairs and three lone pairs). The electron arrangement is trigonal bipyramidal. The shape is linear because the lone pairs prefer the equatorial positions. The bond angle will be 180°. The molecule XeF2 is an AX2E3 species. The lone pairs on the fluorine atoms are not considered because they are on terminal atoms.

2) XeF4:

The Lewis structure of XeF4 is  --XeF4

The molecule has 36 valence electrons. There are six electron pairs around xenon (four bonding pairs and two lone pairs). The electron arrangement is octahedral. The shape is square planar because the lone pairs prefer opposite corners of the octahedron. The bond angles will be 90° and 180° in the plane of the molecule. The molecule XeF4 is an AX4E2 species. The lone pairs on the fluorine atoms are not considered because they are on terminal atoms. Formula used  :

(3)H30---

When we talk about hybridization , let suppose H3O+ as mentioned in the question.

We will consider the central atom of the molecule for Hybridization.

In this case we have Oxygen atom as central atom, so only Oxygen will undergo Hybridization.

Hydrogen is not going to Hybridize.

Now, Lets discuss the type of hybridization in this case.

We have four groups on our central atom( O ) :

   3 Hydrogen atoms

   1 Lone pair of electron

Simple way to understand the number of hybrid orbitals that we need , is to find out , how much groups are attached to the central atom ,

Once we know the number of attached groups , Here is simple rule to apply

   1 Group = s1 Hybridization

   2 groups = s1p1 Hybridization

   3 groups = s1p2 Hybridization

   4 groups = s1p3 Hybridization

   5 groups =s1p3d1 Hybridization

   6 groups =s1p3d2 Hybridization

In this case we have four groups attached to central atom , so central atom will undergo s1p3 or simply SP3 Hybridization .

Somehow if still we ask about Hydrogen, so