Question

Find the pair of species having the same shape but different hybridizations of the central atom.

• A. $S{O}_3,C{O}_3^{2-}$
• B. $N{O}_2^{-},Cl{O}_2^{-}$
• C. $BeC{l}_2,HCN$
• D. $Xe{F}_2,SnC{l}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $N{O}_2^{-},Cl{O}_2^{-}$

Steric number = number of lone pairs on central atom + number of atoms bonded to the central atom.
A)

From the figure, the steric number for both of them is 3 and hence they are $s{p}^2$ hybridized. Hence, they are both trigonal planar.

B)

From the figure, the steric number of $N{O}_2^{-}$ is 3 and it is $s{p}^2$ hybridized. The steric number of $Cl{O}_2^{-}$ is 4 and it is $s{p}^3$ hybridized. Both the molecules have bent shape.

C)
From the figure, both $BeC{l}_2$ and $HCN$ have a steric number of 2. They are both sp hybridized, and linear.

D)


From the figure, the steric number of $Xe{F}_2$ is 5 and it is $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridized with a linear shape. The steric number of $SnC{l}_2$ is 3 and it is $s{p}^2$ hybridized with a bent shape.