Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumMolecular Shapes, VSEPR Theory, and Hybridization

According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, what is the molecular shape and central atom hybridization of sulfur dioxide (SO2SO_2)?

  1. Bent (V-shaped) with sp2sp^2 hybridizationAnswer
  2. B
    Trigonal planar with sp2sp^2 hybridization
  3. C
    Linear with spsp hybridization
  4. D
    Bent (V-shaped) with sp3sp^3 hybridization

Answer

Bent (V-shaped) geometry with sp2sp^2 hybridization of the central sulfur atom.
The central sulfur atom in SO2SO_2 has three electron regions around it (two bonding regions to oxygen atoms and one lone pair). Three electron regions dictate a trigonal planar electron geometry and sp2sp^2 hybridization. Because one of these regions is a lone pair, the observable molecular geometry formed by the atoms is bent (V-shaped).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the valence electron count and electron domains around the central sulfur atom in SO2SO_2.
Sulfur (Group 16) brings 6 valence electrons. It forms 2 double bonds with 2 oxygen atoms (2 bonding domains) and retains 1 lone pair of electrons. Total electron domains = 3.
VSEPR theory uses the total number of electron domains (bonding regions + lone pairs) to determine spatial arrangement.
2
Determine the hybridization of the central atom.
3 electron domains correspond to an sp2sp^2 hybridization state.
Mixing one s orbital and two p orbitals yields three equivalent sp2sp^2 hybrid orbitals directed towards the corners of an equilateral triangle.
3
Determine the molecular geometry based on bonding domains and lone pairs.
With 3 electron domains (2 bonding domains and 1 lone pair), the electron geometry is trigonal planar, but the molecular geometry (shape formed by atoms) is Bent (V-shaped) with a bond angle of slightly less than 120∘120^\circ.
Lone pair-bonding pair repulsion compresses the O−S−OO-S-O bond angle slightly below the ideal 120∘120^\circ trigonal planar angle.

Key Concept

VSEPR Theory, Molecular Geometry, and Hybridization
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Molecular Shapes, VSEPR Theory, and Hybridization

More questions from this topic