Problem 2F.15

[giasingh2A]

In this problem, we see that as the s-character of a hybrid orbital increases, the bond angle will increase. Conceptually, why is this? Thanks in advance!

[Hailey Nguyen 2J]

Hello! When s-character increases, this means that the s orbital has a greater contribution to the hybrid orbitals. For example, sp orbitals have greater s-character than sp2 orbitals because the s-orbital makes up a larger percentage of the hybrid orbital. Orbitals with greater s-character will have fewer regions of electron density (because the contribution of the s-orbital decreases as p character increases), so atoms can arrange themselves farther apart. This results in larger bond angles. Hope this was helpful!