## Hybridization

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

Ryan Troutman 4L
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:22 am

### Hybridization

How do you know when to use sp2 or sp3 when doing hybridization? Can we also use sp4 and sp1?

becca_vandyke_4b
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:29 am

### Re: Hybridization

The number of hybridized orbitals matches the number of electron density regions in the shape of the molecule. So if there are four electron density regions it could be sp3. I don't think there is such thing as sp4 because the p-orbital only has three sub-orbitals.

Samantha Kwock 1D
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

### Re: Hybridization

sp2 orbitals should be used when there are three regions of electron density in a molecule. sp3 orbitals should be used when there are four regions of electron density in a molecule. sp orbitals are used when there are only two regions of electron density. sp4 does not exist, to create five bonding orbitals, the hybridization would be sp3d.

Henri_de_Guzman_3L
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:25 am

### Re: Hybridization

Remember:
# of hybridized orbitals = # of regions of electron density

Ryan Troutman 4L
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:22 am

### Re: Hybridization

Thank you all so much! I completely overthought the process of hybridization and you all made it much more simple.