The molecular geometry of POCl3 is tetrahedral. What hybridization does this indicate for the central P atom?

Why is the answer spy?

Perhaps a typo. Tetrahedral is sp3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphoryl_chloride

sp3

The hybridization of the central P atom in POCl3 is sp³.

In order to determine the hybridization, we need to consider the number of bonding groups and the lone pairs around the central atom.

In POCl3, there are four bonding groups (three Cl atoms and one O atom), and no lone pairs on the central P atom. The molecular geometry of tetrahedral indicates that there are four electron groups around the central atom.

To accommodate the tetrahedral arrangement, the central atom must undergo sp³ hybridization. In this hybridization, one s orbital and three p orbitals of the central P atom mix together to form four sp³ hybrid orbitals. These orbitals are arranged in a tetrahedral geometry, with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees.

Therefore, the hybridization of the central P atom in POCl3 is sp³.

To determine the hybridization of the central phosphorus (P) atom in POCl3, we need to consider its molecular geometry.

The molecular geometry of POCl3 is indeed tetrahedral, which means it has four regions of electron density around the central P atom.

To understand the hybridization, we follow the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. According to this theory, electron pairs around the central atom will arrange themselves as far apart from each other as possible to minimize repulsion.

In POCl3, the central P atom is bonded to three oxygen (O) atoms and one chlorine (Cl) atom. Since all the four regions of electron density repel each other equally, we can conclude that the central P atom is sp3 hybridized.

The "s" in sp3 represents the single 2s orbital that hybridizes with three 2p orbitals, which results in four sp3 hybrid orbitals. These hybrid orbitals then accommodate the bonding electrons.

Therefore, the answer is sp3 hybridization for the central P atom in POCl3, given its tetrahedral molecular geometry.