What is the hybridization of the central atom In the iodine triflouride (IF3) molecule
The central atom in the iodine trifluoride (IF3) molecule is iodine (I). Iodine is an exception to the octet rule and can have more than eight electrons in its valence shell. In this case, it has an expanded octet, meaning it can accommodate up to 12 electrons.
To determine the hybridization of the central atom, we need to count the number of electron domains surrounding it, which includes both bonded atoms and lone pairs. In the case of IF3, there are three fluorine atoms bonded to iodine and two lone pairs on the iodine atom. So, there are a total of five electron domains around iodine.
The hybridization of an atom is determined by the number of electron domains, and in this case, iodine is surrounded by five electron domains. Thus, the hybridization of the central iodine atom in IF3 is sp3d.