Question

Explain the hybridization of central atom in $SF_6.$

Answer 1

Hint: Hybridization is the concept which states that the existing orbitals of the atoms combine together to form new orbitals. These new orbitals have only unpaired electrons. . These new orbitals also influence the molecular structure as well as the bonding property of the atom.

Complete step by step answer:
Let’s start with discussing the concept of hybridization to understand the question better. Hybridization is the concept which states that the existing orbitals of the atoms combine together to form new orbitals. These new orbitals are known as the hybridized orbitals. These new orbitals also influence the molecular structure as well as the bonding property of the atom.
Coming back to the question, we are given the molecule $SF_6.$ and we need to find out the hybridization of the central atom. The central atom in the molecule $SF_6.$ is atom S which is sulphur.
When looking at the ground configuration of the central atom sulphur we get $3s^2 3p^4$, since the number of bonds forming is 6 which means that the orbitals should have 6 unpaired electrons. During hybridization the paired electrons are removed from their subshell and are placed in the new non occupied subshell. In case of Sulphur two electrons, one each from 3s and 3p orbital is placed inside the 3d orbital. This gives the hybridization of sp³d² as one electron is in s orbital, 3 electron in p orbital and 2 electron in d orbital.
Therefore, the answer to this question is $sp^3d^2$.
The structure of $SF_6.$ is given by,

Note:
As we know that the concept of hybridization is really important as it predicts the molecular geometry of the molecule within a reasonable approximation. It is important to know the geometry of the molecule as it helps in understanding the physical properties of the molecule. It also helps us understand the properties such as dipole moment, which is also a physical property.