Atoms that can accept more than 8 Valence E-

[Drew Myers 4G]

Why are some atoms able to break the octet rule and accept more than 8 valence electrons?

[Sarah Nichols 4C]

Atoms in period 3 or higher can accommodate more than 8 electrons because they have d-orbitals in their valence shell. The octet guideline comes from the fact that full s- and p-orbitals accommodate 8 e- together (s2 and p6)

[Sydney Pell 2E]

The hybridization and mixing of orbitals in period 3 or larger atoms are part of the reason why some atoms can have expanded octets. This is because orbitals in the same shell can mix together because they are similar in energy, which means they can have more orbitals available to fill during bonding.

[Rosa Munoz 2E]

Because they have a d orbital