## hybridization

$sp, sp^{2}, sp^{3}, dsp^{3}, d^{2}sp^{3}$

KarlaArevalo2F
Posts: 67
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:01 am
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### hybridization

Does anyone have an easy way to find the hybridization of the central atom they are able to share? Much appreciated.

chris_tsai_4H
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: hybridization

Count the number of electron densities that are surrounding the central atom. For example, if there are 4, then the hybridization is sp3. If there are 5, then it is sp3d, since the p orbital can only contain three, and s can only have one, the 5th electron goes to the d orbital.

Blake Salfer 1B
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

### Re: hybridization

I usually look at how many other atoms are being attached to the central atom and if it is say 3 other atoms the hybridization is just one less; sp2. For 5 and 6atoms attached to the central atom you just have to remember you are using d orbitals so it will always have an sp3 and then however many d orbitals are being used. If it is 5 it will be dsp3 and 6 is d2sp3

305117729
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: hybridization

the number of hybridized orbitals is the same as the number of electron densities. e.g. a tetrahedral molecule has four electron densities, so it's sp3 hybridized.

Matthew Choi 2H
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:18 am

### Re: hybridization

Like other people said before, count the number of areas of electron density. Lone pairs count as one area of electron density. Single, double, and triple bonds also only count as one are of electron density. It might be weird to think that a double and triple bond count only as a single area of electron density since they have four and six electrons involved, respectively, but I guess it kind of makes sense since they attach only 2 atoms together. Once you have the number of areas of electron density, then you should have a corresponding number of orbitals in the hybridized orbital. E.g. 1 area of electron density = s, 2 areas = sp, 3 areas = sp2, 4 areas = sp3, 5 areas = sp3d, 6 areas = sp3d2

405021651
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:03 am

### Re: hybridization

count the number of electron densities then use "spppdd" and add one letter for each density. Ex. 1 region=s , 4 regions=sp^3, 5 regions=sp^3d

Sheridan Slaterbeck 1J
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: hybridization

I think you have to draw out the Lewis structure for sure, then count electron densities and find subsequent and matching spd number
s=1
sp=2
sp2 =3
sp3 =4
sp3d =5 etc

NatBrown1I
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: hybridization

One less than the electron groups that surround it (lone and bonding pairs)

2 = sp
3 = sp2
4 = sp3
5 = sp3d
6 = sp3d2

Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: hybridization

You have to first draw out the lewis structure, then count the electron densities and then the matching spd number. For 1 electron density it is s, 2=sp, 3=sp^2, etc.

Anjali 4A
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Re: hybridization

Draw the lewis structure, and calculate the steric number which is the number of sigma bonds and number of lone pairs. Based on the steric number we can figure out the hybridization. E.g. steric number 2 = sp, 3= sp2 and so on.

Kelsey Li 3B
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:26 am

### Re: hybridization

You should draw the Lewis structure first then count the electron densities. What I also do is I look at the shape that the central atom is a part of and determine its hybridization from it.

Jack Hewitt 2H
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:27 am

### Re: hybridization

KarlaArevalo4D wrote:Does anyone have an easy way to find the hybridization of the central atom they are able to share? Much appreciated.

The easiest way is to consider the number of regions with electron density. This includes lone pairs.

Kunseo Yook 2E
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Re: hybridization

Draw the lewis structure and count the number of electron densities around the atom you are looking at.

405021651
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:03 am

### Re: hybridization

I would just count the number of electron densities

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