a. Define hybridization. Mention two salient features of hybridization. Explain sp3d2 hybridization by taking the example of SF6.

**OR**

b. What is bond length and bond angle? Draw the molecular orbital energy level diagram of N2 molecule, predict its magnetic behavior.

Question

a. Define hybridization. Mention two salient features of hybridization. Explain sp3d2 hybridization by taking the example of SF6.

**OR**

b. What is bond length and bond angle? Draw the molecular orbital energy level diagram of N2 molecule, predict its magnetic behavior.

Accepted Answer

![Figure — Molecular-orbital energy-level diagram of N2 (14 electrons). Left and right columns show the atomic ](/figures/pyq-chemistry/n2-molecular-orbital-diagram.svg)

>

> [!TLDR]
> a. sp3d2 hybridization of S in SF6 gives 6 equivalent orbitals in an octahedral arrangement. b. N2's MO diagram has all electrons paired (bond order 3), so N2 is diamagnetic.
>
> **Part (a):**
> **Hybridization** is the process of intermixing of atomic orbitals of a central atom, having slightly different energies, to give rise to an equal number of new, equivalent orbitals (of identical energy and shape) called hybrid orbitals, better suited for bond formation.
>
> **Two salient features of hybridization:**
> 1. The number of hybrid orbitals produced always equals the number of atomic orbitals that mix together.
> 2. Hybrid orbitals are always equivalent in energy and identical in shape.
>
> **sp³d² hybridization in SF6:**
> Sulphur (Z=16) has ground-state configuration $[Ne]3s^2 3p^4$. To bond with six fluorine atoms, sulphur's orbitals — one $3s$, three $3p$ and two $3d$ orbitals — mix together to form **six equivalent sp³d² hybrid orbitals**, each singly occupied and directed toward the corners of a regular octahedron (bond angles of 90°). Each hybrid orbital overlaps with a singly-occupied $2p$ orbital of a fluorine atom to form a S–F σ bond, giving SF6 its characteristic **octahedral** molecular geometry with six identical S–F bonds.
>
> **Part (b):**
> **Bond length** is the equilibrium (average) distance between the nuclei of two atoms joined by a chemical bond.
> **Bond angle** is the angle subtended between the orbitals containing the bonding electron pairs around a central atom in a molecule.
>
> **MO diagram of N2 and its magnetic behaviour:** …

Hybridization	Orbitals Mixed	Number of Hybrids	Geometry	Bond Angle	Example
$sp$	one $s$ + one $p$	2	Linear	$180^\circ$	$\text{BeCl}_2$
$sp^2$	one $s$ + two $p$	3	Trigonal planar	$120^\circ$	$\text{BF}_3$
$sp^3$	one $s$ + three $p$	4	Tetrahedral	$109.5^\circ$	$\text{CH}_4$

Q.a. Define hybridization. Mention two salient features of hybridization. Explain sp3d2 hybridization by taking the example of SF6. OR b. What is bond length and bond angle? Draw the molecular orbital energy level diagram of N2 molecule, predict its magnetic behavior.

Concept understanding — Orbital Hybridization Theory

Orbital Hybridization Theory – From Intuition to Precision

The Problem That Started It All

The Core Intuition

The Precise Statement

The Three Common Hybridizations

How It Works: The Methane Example

Q.a. Define hybridization. Mention two salient features of hybridization. Explain sp3d2 hybridization by taking the example of SF6. OR b. What is bond length and bond angle? Draw the molecular orbital energy level diagram of N2 molecule, predict its magnetic behavior.

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