Use the VSEPR model to answer the following question:

Question

Use the VSEPR model to answer the following question:

Which of the compounds exhibit sp³ hybridization by the central atom?

(Select all that apply.)

PCl₃

H₂O

COS

SO₂

PF₃

Answer 1

sp³ hybridization has 4 electron domains so it will have either a tetrahedral or trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry. In order to determine hybridization, you need to determine the number of electron domains around the central atom by drawing their lewis structures.

For example, PCl₃ has 5 valence electrons from P and 7 valence electrons from each of the Cl so 26 total.

1. Assuming there are 3 single bonds (between P and each Cl), 6 electrons are used up, leaving 20 electrons.
2. If we arrange the electrons around each atom so that each atom has an octet, we use 6 atoms on each chlorine.
3. That leaves us with 2 valence electrons that we put around the P.
4. PCl₃ has 4 electron domains (3 single bonds and 1 lone electron pair)= exhibits sp³ hybridization and is trigonal pyramidal

Answer 2

PCl₃, H₂O, and PF₃ all show sp³ hybridization on their central atoms (P, O, and P respectively.)