Indicate the type of hybrid orbitals used by the central atom in PCl₃. A) sp B) sp² C) sp³ D) sp³d E) sp³d²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The central atom, P, has three bonded atoms and one lone pair, which suggests it needs four hybrid orbitals for bonding. Based on the number of bonded atoms and lone pairs, we can predict that the hybridization is sp3. However, since there is a sulfur atom in the molecule that can accommodate five electron pairs, the hybridization state will be higher, namely sp3d. This leaves us with answer choice C, which includes hybrid orbitals that correctly correspond to sp3d hybridization. The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not include the correct hybrid orbitals for the sp3d hybridization state, or they include hybrid orbitals that are not necessary for the molecule.

Indicate the Type of Hybrid Orbitals Used by the Central