Question

What is hybridization in ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$?

Answer 1

Step 1: Hybridization:

• “Hybridization is defined as the process of intermixing of the orbitals of slightly different energies so as to redistribute their energies, resulting in the formation of a new set of orbitals of equivalent energies and shape.”

Step 2: Formula used for calculation:

• $\mathrm{Hybridization}=\frac{1}{2}\left[\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{M}-\mathrm{C}+\mathrm{A}\right]$
• Where $\mathrm{V}$ is the number of valence electrons, $\mathrm{M}$ is the monovalent electron, $\mathrm{C}$ is the positive charge and $\mathrm{A}$ represents the negative charge.

Step 3: Calculation for Hybridisation of ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$:

• The total number of valence electrons in ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ is $8$ and there are $6$ monovalent atoms.
• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Hybridization}=\frac{1}{2}\left[8+6-0+0\right] \\ \mathrm{Hybridization}=\frac{1}{2}\times 14=7 \end{gathered}$$
• The hybridization number is $7$, thus the hybridization of ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ is ${\mathrm{sp}}^3{\mathrm{d}}^3$.