The hybridisation of sulphur in sulphur tetrafluroide is

Options

A. `sp^(3)d`
B. `sp^(3)d^(2)`
C. `sp^(3)d^(3)`
D. `sp^(3)`

Answer

To determine the hybridization of sulfur in sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Central Atom
The central atom in sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4) is sulfur (S).

**Hint:** Look for the atom that is bonded to multiple other atoms; this is usually the central atom.

### Step 2: Determine the Valence Electrons of Sulfur
Sulfur is in Group 16 of the periodic table, which means it has 6 valence electrons.

**Hint:** Check the periodic table for the group number to find the number of valence electrons.

### Step 3: Count the Bond Pairs
In SF4, sulfur is bonded to four fluorine atoms. Each bond between sulfur and fluorine represents a bond pair. Therefore, there are 4 bond pairs.

**Hint:** Each single bond counts as one bond pair.

### Step 4: Calculate the Lone Pairs
To find the number of lone pairs, we subtract the number of bond pairs from the total number of valence electrons.
- Total valence electrons = 6 (from sulfur)
- Bond pairs = 4 (from SF4)
- Each bond pair uses 2 electrons, so 4 bond pairs use 4 x 2 = 8 electrons.

However, since sulfur only has 6 valence electrons, we can see that:
- 4 bond pairs use 4 electrons (1 from each bond)
- This leaves us with 2 electrons, which can be paired as 1 lone pair.

Thus, there is 1 lone pair.

**Hint:** Remember that each lone pair consists of 2 electrons.

### Step 5: Determine the Hybridization
Now, we can determine the hybridization based on the number of bond pairs and lone pairs:
- Total pairs = Bond pairs + Lone pairs = 4 + 1 = 5 pairs.

The hybridization corresponding to 5 pairs is sp³d.

**Hint:** Use the formula: Hybridization = number of bond pairs + number of lone pairs.

### Step 6: Identify the Geometry and Shape
The geometry of sp³d hybridization is trigonal bipyramidal. However, due to the presence of a lone pair, the shape of the molecule will be distorted. The actual shape of SF4 is described as "seesaw."

**Hint:** Remember that lone pairs can cause distortion in molecular geometry.

### Final Answer
The hybridization of sulfur in sulfur tetrafluoride (SF4) is **sp³d**.

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