Transcript File
14.2
HYBRIDIZATION
ESSENTIAL IDEA
Hybridization results from the mixing of
atomic orbitals to form the same number of
new equivalent hybrid orbitals that can have
the same mean energy as the contributing
atomic orbitals.
NATURE OF SCIENCE (2.2)
The need to regard theories as uncertain – hybridization in
valence bond theory can help explain molecular geometries,
but is limited. Quantum mechanics involves several theories
explaining the same phenomena, depending on specific
requirements.
UNDERSTANDING/KEY IDEA
14.2.A
A hybrid orbital results from the mixing of
different types of atomic orbitals on the same
atom.
APPLICATION/SKILLS
Be able to explain the formation of
sp3, sp2 and sp hybrid orbitals in
methane, ethene and ethyne.
HYBRIDIZATION
Definition – model that describes
the changes in the atomic orbitals of
an atom when it forms a covalent
compound.
The new set of orbitals are called
“Hybrid Orbitals”.
What about carbon?
Carbon almost always forms four covalent bonds.
Its electron configuration though is 1s22s22px12py1
which would lead one to expect carbon to only form
two covalent bonds due to the two singly occupied
orbitals.
Because carbon does form 4 and not 2 covalent bonds,
its ground state electron configuration changes during
bonding.
The process of “excitation” occurs so that one of the
“2s” electrons is excited to the unoccupied “p” orbital,
thus giving it four singly occupied orbitals available for
bonding.
Why hybridization?
Let’s look at methane – CH4
It has a tetrahedral shape with identical bonds and
bond angles of 109.5 degrees.
We know that the bonding is happening between the
valence electrons of the carbon and four hydrogen
atoms.
All of the hydrogen valence electrons come from the 1s
orbitals.
However, the carbon atomic orbitals available for
bonding are 1 – s and 3-p orbitals after the process of
excitation.
It would be expected that the energies from these
bonds would be different since they are being formed
from different types of orbitals.
However, we know that the four C-H bonds in
methane have the same energy so somehow the
orbitals have been changed and been made equal
during the bonding process.
When unequal atomic orbitals mix to form new hybrid
atomic orbitals which are the same as each other but
different from the original orbitals, hybridization has
occurred.
Comments about hybrid
orbitals
1. They do not exist in isolated atoms.
2. They are found only in covalent compounds.
3. They are equivalent in a compound.
4. The number of hybrid orbitals in a bonded atom is
equal to the number of atomic orbitals used to form the
hybrid orbitals.
5. The type of hybrid orbitals depends upon the electron
domain geometry.
6. The atom is able to form stronger covalent bonds using
hybrid orbitals.
3
sp
Hybridization
The previous example which explained the bonding in
methane, CH4, is a classic example of sp3 hybridization.
This type of hybridization occurs when the three “p”
orbitals and one “s” orbital hybridize to form four identical
sigma bonds.
The shape is tetrahedral and has bond angles of 109.5
degrees.
2
sp
Hybridization
When carbon forms a double bond as in ethene, it
undergoes sp2 hybridization.
This type of hybridization occurs when the three “p”
orbitals and one “s” orbital hybridize to form three hybrid
orbitals and leaves one unhybridized “p” orbital.
The shape is trigonal planar with bond angles of 120
degrees.
The unhybridized “p” orbitals overlap sideways forming a
pi bond.
sp Hybridization
When carbon forms a triple bond as in ethyne, it
undergoes sp hybridization.
This type of hybridization occurs when the three “p”
orbitals and one “s” orbital hybridize to form two hybrid
orbitals and leaves two unhybridized “p” orbitals.
The shape is linear with bond angles of 180 degrees.
The unhybridized “p” orbitals overlap sideways forming
two pi bonds.
Ref: jahschem.wikispaces.com
APPLICATION/SKILLS
Be able to identify and explain the
relationships between Lewis
structures, electron domains,
molecular geometries and types of
hybridization.
(This is a review of the information
found in ppt 4.3)
LINEAR
A linear molecule has two electron domains.
The angle is 180 degrees and it has “sp” hybridization.
The Lewis structure has no “lone pairs” of electrons.
TRIGONAL PLANAR
A trigonal planar molecule has 3 electron domains.
It has angles of 120 degrees and “sp2” hybridization.
The bent molecule can also have 3 effective pairs if it
has one lone pair of electrons.
TETRAHEDRAL
A tetrahedral molecule has four electron domains.
It has angles of 109.5 degrees and “sp3”
hybridization.
Trigonal pyramidal and “bent” with 2 lone pairs
can also have this geometry.
TRIGONAL BIPYRAMIDAL
A trigonal bipyramidal molecule has 5 electron
domains.
It has angles of 90 and 120 degrees and “dsp3”
hybridization.
OCTAHEDRAL
An octahedral molecule has 6 electron domains.
It has angles of 90 degrees and “d2sp3” hybridization.