Question

What is the hybridization of $N$ in solid $N_2{O}_5$?

• A. sp and sp
• B. sp and $s{p}^2$
• C. $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^3$
• D. $s{p}^2$ and $s{p}^2$

Answer 1

The correct option is B

sp and $s{p}^2$

The solid form of dinitrogen pentoxide, $N_2{O}_5$, actually consists of nitronium and nitrate ions, so it is an ionic compound, $\left[N{O}_2^{+}\right]\left[N{O}_3^{-}\right]$, not a molecular solid. However, dinitrogen pentoxide in the liquid or gaseous state is molecular and does not contain nitronium ions. The hybridization of $N$ in the nitrate anion- $N{O}_3^{-}$ is a clear $s{p}^2$. It is the cation that gets interesting:

The nitronium ion is isoelectronic with carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, and has the same linear structure and bond angle of 180°.