Which central atom hybridization would you expect ...

Question

Which central atom hybridization would you expect in the series BH4-, CH4, NH4+?

Jules Bruno · Accepted Answer

We are being asked to determine which central atom hybridization is expected in the series BH4-, CH4, and NH4+.For this problem, we need to do these steps:Step 1. Determine the central atomStep 2. Calculate the total number of valence electrons present.        Step 3. Draw the Lewis Structure for the moleculeStep 4. Count number of electron domains around each central atom in the series to determine its hybridization[readmore] For BH4-:Step 1: Determine the central atom in this molecule.• H cannot be a central atom; B → central atomStep 2: Calculate the total number of valence electrons present.          BH4- has a –1 charge → gained 1 electron            Group                        Valence ElectronsB         3A                   1 × 3 e– = 3 e–H         1A                   4 × 1 e– = 4 e–From –1 charge:                       + 1 e–              Total:  8 valence e–Step 3: Draw the Lewis Structure for the molecule• H → can only have 1 bond• B → prefers to have 3 bonds (an exception to the octet rule)• surround B with the four H atoms• if there are remaining electrons, place it in the central atom• There are 4 domains or groups around central element B:▪ 4 H atoms + 0 lone pairs = 4 domains• It will need 4 orbitals to accommodate these 4 groups.Orbitals that can be used by the central atom: Subshell                   Total # of orbitals         s             _                 1 orbital          p          _ _ _              3 orbitals        d        _ _ _ _ _          5 orbitals▪ 1 s orbital + 3 p orbitals = 4 orbitals (4 groups)▪ s p p p = sp3Hybrid orbitals used by B in BH4-:     sp3For CH4:Step 1: Determine the central atom in this molecule.• H cannot be a central atom; C → central atomStep 2: Calculate the total number of valence electrons present.                      Group                        Valence ElectronsC         4A                   1 × 4 e– = 4 e–H         1A                   4 × 1 e– = 4 e–                              Total:  8 valence e–Step 3: Draw the Lewis Structure for the molecule• H → can only have 1 bond• C→ prefers to have 4 bonds and a complete octet• surround C with the four H atoms• if there are remaining electrons, place it in the central atom• There are 4 domains or groups around central element C:▪ 4 H atoms + 0 lone pairs = 4 domains• It will also need 4 orbitals to accommodate these 4 groups.Orbitals that can be used by the central atom: Subshell                   Total # of orbitals         s             _                 1 orbital          p          _ _ _              3 orbitals        d        _ _ _ _ _          5 orbitals▪ 1 s orbital + 3 p orbitals = 4 orbitals (4 groups)▪ s p p p = sp3Hybrid orbitals used by C in CH4:     sp3For NH4+:Step 1: Determine the central atom in this molecule.• H cannot be a central atom; N → central atomStep 2: Calculate the total number of valence electrons present.          NH4+ has a +1 charge → lost 1 electron            Group                        Valence ElectronsN         5A                   1 × 5 e– = 5 e–H         1A                   4 × 1 e– = 4 e–From +1 charge:                       – 1 e–              Total:  8 valence e–Step 3: Draw the Lewis Structure for the molecule• H → can only have 1 bond• N→ prefers to have 3 bonds or more and a complete octet• surround N with the four H atoms• if there are remaining electrons, place it in the central atom• There are 4 domains or groups around central element N:▪ 4 H atoms + 0 lone pairs = 4 domains• It will need 4 orbitals to accommodate these 4 groups.Orbitals that can be used by the central atom: Subshell                   Total # of orbitals         s             _                 1 orbital          p          _ _ _              3 orbitals        d        _ _ _ _ _          5 orbitals▪ 1 s orbital + 3 p orbitals = 4 orbitals (4 groups)▪ s p p p = sp3Hybrid orbitals used by N in NH4+:     sp3The expected central atom hybridization for the series: BH4-, CH4 and NH4+ is sp3.

Problem: Which central atom hybridization would you expect in the series BH4-, CH4, NH4+?

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Problem: Which central atom hybridization would you expect in the series BH4-, CH4, NH4+?

FREE Expert Solution

Problem Details

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