What is the orbital hybridization of the central atom S in SF4?
1) sp
2) sp3d
3) sp2
4) sp3d2
5) sp3
The Lewis electron dot structure for SF4 has 10 electrons around the central atom; i.e., that's 4 pairs of electrons for each F atom (8 electrons total) + 2 unpaired electrons for a total of 10. That makes it an AX4U type structure (see-saw). Try sp3d hybridization.
The orbital hybridization of the central atom S in SF4 is determined by the number of regions of electron density around the central atom. In SF4, there are four regions of electron density around sulfur due to the presence of four bonded atoms (four fluorine atoms) and no lone pairs of electrons.
According to the concept of hybridization, the number of regions of electron density determines the type of hybrid orbitals formed. In this case, with four regions of electron density, the hybridization of S in SF4 is sp3.
Therefore, the correct option is 5) sp3.
To determine the orbital hybridization of the central atom S in SF4, we need to count the number of electron groups surrounding the central atom. An electron group can be a bond or a lone pair.
Starting with the Lewis structure of SF4, we can see that there are four fluorine (F) atoms bonded to sulfur (S). Additionally, there is one lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom. Therefore, we have five electron groups around the central sulfur atom.
The electron groups will undergo hybridization to form molecular orbitals. The type of hybridization is determined by the number of electron groups.
In this case, since there are five electron groups surrounding the central atom S, the orbital hybridization is sp3d.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 2) sp3d.