2.7.3

Bond Hybridization

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Bond Hybridization

Using VSEPR theory to predict bond angles can sometimes be problematic because the angles that are predicted do not match the orbital angles.

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Water molecule

  • Valence bond theory predicts that the angle between the two O-H bonds is 90°, while VSEPR theory predicts an angle of 109.5°.
    • Experimental evidence shows that the bond angle is 104.5°.
  • To understand how molecules with more than two atoms form stable bonds, we require a more detailed model.
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Wave function

  • The difference in the predicted bond angles of water molecules is explained by the wave function in quantum mechanics.
  • The wave function, ψ, is a mathematical expression that contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom.
  • When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes.
    • The process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization.
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Hybrid orbitals

  • The new orbitals that result are called hybrid orbitals.
  • These hybrid orbitals morph ‘s’ and ‘p’ orbitals into new equal hybrid orbitals which are part ‘s’ and part ‘p’.
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Determining bond hybridization

  • Count the number of domains around the atom of interest:
    • Bonded domains + non-bonded domains.
  • The number of domains will be distributed to each type of orbital:
    • s = 1 orbital
    • p = 3 orbitals
    • d = 5 orbitals
    • f = 7 orbitals
  • The sum of the orbitals equals the number of domains.
  • Use the chart to help predict the hybridized orbitals and their corresponding bond angles.
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Example: Ethene

  • Ethene has molecular formula C2H4.
  • Both carbons have three bonded domains, therefore the hybridization on each of the carbon atoms will be sp2.
  • 3 domains = 1 part s and 2 parts p, for a total of 3 equal hybridized orbitals.
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Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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