Chemical Bonding Hybridisation
Chemical Bonding Hybridisation
Chemical Bonding Hybridisation
Chemical Bonding
1. According to the valence bond theory, when a covalent bond is formed between two
atoms:
(a)a valence atomic orbital (containing an unpaired electron) of one atom will
overlap with a valence atomic orbital (also containing an unpaired electron)
of the other atom to form a new molecular orbital containing the nuclei of
both the atoms; [ for coordinate bands both the electrons are from the same
orbital];
2. (a) A sigma(σ) bond is formed when two atomic orbitals overlap ‘head-on'. The
orbitals that overlap can be an s-orbital and an s-orbital; an s-orbital and a
p-orbital; or a p-orbital and a p-orbital .
(b)A pi (π) bond is formed when two p-orbitals overlap 'sideways' (laterally)
(c)Example
Atomic Shape Molecular orbital Type of bond
orbitals
S+s σ
s+P σ
p+p σ
p+p π
(b) A 0--bond is stronger than a 7-bond. The strength of a bonds follows the order s-s
< s-p < p-p
(b) A double covalent bond is made up of one sigma bond and one pi bond.
(c) A triple covalent bond is made up of one sigma bond and two pi bonds.
5. Examples:
3s 3P
The 3p atomic orbital of a chlorine atom containing one unpaired electron over-laps
with the 3p atomic orbital containing one unpaired electron of the other chlorine atom
to form a sigma bond. Formula: Cl2
H atom
CI atom
H - CI 0-
The 3p atomic orbital containing one unpaired electron of the chlorine atom overlaps
with the Is atomic orbital of the hydrogen atom to form a sigma bond. Formula: HCI
0 atom
0 atom 0 0
One 2p atomic orbital containing an unpaired electron of one oxygen atom overlaps
(head-on) with one 2p atomic orbital containing an unpaired electron of the other
oxygen atom to form one sigma bond. The other 2p orbital (also containing an unpaired
electron) of the 1st oxygen atom overlaps (sideways) with the other 2p orbital (also
containing an unpaired electron) of the 2nd oxygen atom to form one pi bond, resulting
in a double covalent bond. Formula: 02
3. The number of hybrid orbitals formed is equal to the number of atomic orbitals
intermixed in the hybridisation.
4. Generally, hybridisation only occurs between atomic orbitals having the same
quantum number.
5. Hybridisation does not take place in an isolated atom. It only occurs during bond
formation.
6. The arrangement of the resultant hybrid orbitals around the nucleus of the central
atom depends on the type of hybridisation. Hybrid orbitals of a given type are
geometrically equivalent. Three important types of hybrid orbitals are:
(a) sp3 hybrid orbitals : a set of four hybrid orbitals in a tetrahedral arrangement,
directed at 109.5°.
(b) sp2 hybrid orbitals : a set of three hybrid orbitals in a trigonal planar
arrangement, directed at 120°
(c) sp hybrid orbitals: a set of two hybrid orbitals in a linear arrangement, directed at
180°.
7. The hybrid orbitals can accommodate both bonding electron pairs as well as non-
bonding pairs of electrons at filled. Different types of electron pairs will affect the
overall molecular shape.
8. Hybrid orbitals tend to remain far apart. Repulsion between hybrid orbitals
containing pairs of electrons follows the order: lone-pair — lone pair > lone-pair —
bond pair > bond-pair — bond-pair
9. During bond formation, `head-on' overlapping of hybrid orbitals will result in sigma
(a) bonds. In sp2 and sp hybridization, unhybridised 'p' orbitals will overlap laterally
forming pi (1) bonds if electrons are present.
10. (Summary
Type of hybridization
sp3
sp2
sp
Atomic orbitals
Exercise :
Use the concept of hybridisation to explain the shapes of the following molecules.
Guidelines:
(b) Determine the arrangement of electron pairs around the central atom (VSEPR)
BeH2 BCl3
Structure(VSEPR): Structure(VSEPR):
Hybridisation: Hybridisation:
H2O NH3
Structure(VSEPR): Structure(VSEPR):
Hybridisation: Hybridisation:
Exercises)
1. The diagram below shows the structure of the 2-hydroxyethanamide molecule
2. (a) Disulphur dichloride, a yellowish liquid, is used in the vulcanization of natural rubber. Its
structural formula is CI - S - S - CI .
(ii) State the number of lone pairs and bond pairs of electrons surrounding each sulphur atom.
(iii) Use the electron-pair repulsion theory to predict the arrangement of the electron pairs
around a sulphur atom.
(iv) State the type of hybridisation undergone by the sulphur atom in sulphur dichloride
(b) Sulphur hexafluoride is absorbed together with oxygen during X-ray of the lungs to produce
a sharper image. However, sulfur hexachloride does not exist
(i) Write the electronic configuration of the sulphur atom in sulphur hexafluoride.
3. (a) Sodium-24 isotope is used in medicine to study the blood circulatory system.
(iii) State the orbitals of sodium-24 ion that contain valence electrons.
(iv) State one reason why sodium-24 isotope is rarely found in its natural state?
(c) Cyanide ion can act as a monodentate ligand. Draw an orbital overlap diagram for a cyanide
ion.