Question

The $As{F}_5$ molecule is trigonal bipyramidal. The hybrid orbitals used by the $As$ atoms for bonding are :

• A. $d_{x^2-y^2},d_{z^2},s,p_x,p_y$
• B. $d_{xy},s,p_x,p_y,p_z$
• C. $s,p_x,p_y,p_z,d_{z^2}$
• D. $d_{x^2-y^2},s,p_x,p_y$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $s,p_x,p_y,p_z,d_{z^2}$

The molecule is $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridised which uses orbitals which are explained by the following examples.

The linear combination of a 4s-orbital with three 4p-orbitals ($4p_x,4p_y$, and $4p_z$) and one 3d-orbital ($3d_{z^2}$) results in five $s{p}^{3}d$-orbitals