Hybridization of SF6: Hybridization of S in Sulfur Hexafluoride
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Hybridization of SF6 (Sulfur Hexafluoride)

The hybridization of SF6 is sp3d2 type. Just to describe the compound in brief, Sulphur Hexafluoride is a type of greenhouse gas which is colourless, odourless, non-toxic and non-flammable. It is also an inorganic and non-polar gas. Normally, SF6 can be prepared by exposing or combining S8 with F2. Now we will look at how the hybridization takes place.

Name of the Molecule Sulphur Hexafluoride
Molecular Formula SF6
Hybridization Type sp3d2
Bond Angle 90o
Geometry Octahedral

What is the Hybridization of Sulphur Hexafluoride?

To determine the hybridization of sulphur hexafluoride we will look at the orbitals involved and the bonds that are formed during the combination of sulphur and fluorine molecules. The orbitals involved are 3s, 3py, 3py, 3pz and 3dx2–y2 and 3dz2. During the formation of SF6, the sulphur atom which is the central atom in its ground state will have 3s23p4 configuration. In the excited state, the electron pairs in 3s and 3px orbitals get unpaired and one out of each pair is promoted to vacant 3dz2 and 3dx2-y2 orbitals. Now all these six orbitals (one 3s, three 3p and two 3d) which are half-filled get hybridized resulting in the formation of six sp3d2 hybrid orbitals. Further, the sp3d2 hybrid orbitals overlap with a 2p orbital of fluorine, and they form the S-F bond.

Important Points To Remember

  • There are six hybrid orbitals formed.
  • One 3s-orbital, three 3p-orbitals and two 3d-orbital take part in hybridization.
  • The six sp3d2 hybrid orbitals are projected towards the six corners of a regular octahedron.

SF4 Molecular Geometry And Bond Angles

Hybridization Of SF6

SF6 molecular geometry will be octahedral because if we look at the structure sulphur hexafluoride has a central sulphur atom around which12 electrons or 6 electron pairs are present and there are no lone pairs. The F-S-F bonds are slated to be at 90 degrees.

Read More About Hybridization of Other Chemical Compounds

Chemical Bonding

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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What are the physical properties of SF6?

The physical properties of SF6 are:
Odourless
colourless
Non-flammable
Non-toxic greenhouse gas.
Q2

What are the uses of SF6?

SF6 is used in electric piping. It is also used as an arc suppressant and electrical insulator.
Q3

Is SF6 ionic or covalent?

SF6 is a covalent compound.
Test Your Knowledge On Hybridization Of Sf6!

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