What is the state of hybridisation of Xe in cationic part of solid `XeF_(6)` ?

Options

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

Answer

To determine the state of hybridization of xenon (Xe) in the cationic part of solid XeF6, follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the oxidation state of xenon in XeF6
Xenon in XeF6 has an oxidation state of +6. This is because fluorine (F) has an oxidation state of -1 and there are six fluorine atoms. Therefore, the total contribution from fluorine is -6. To balance this, xenon must have an oxidation state of +6.

**Hint:** Remember that the sum of oxidation states in a neutral compound must equal zero.

### Step 2: Count the valence electrons of xenon
Xenon is a noble gas and has 8 valence electrons in its neutral state. However, since it is in the +6 oxidation state in XeF6, it effectively has 8 - 6 = 2 valence electrons remaining.

**Hint:** Noble gases have a full octet, which is important for understanding their electron configuration.

### Step 3: Determine the number of bonds formed with fluorine
Xenon forms bonds with six fluorine atoms. Each bond uses one of the available valence electrons. Therefore, xenon will use 6 of its valence electrons to form 6 bond pairs with the six fluorine atoms.

**Hint:** Each bond with fluorine corresponds to one of xenon’s valence electrons.

### Step 4: Calculate the steric number
The steric number is calculated by adding the number of bond pairs and lone pairs around the central atom. In this case, xenon forms 6 bond pairs with fluorine and has no lone pairs left (since all 6 valence electrons are used for bonding).

Steric number = Number of bond pairs + Number of lone pairs = 6 + 0 = 6.

**Hint:** The steric number helps determine the hybridization and geometry of the molecule.

### Step 5: Determine the hybridization
The hybridization can be determined from the steric number. A steric number of 6 corresponds to sp³d² hybridization.

**Hint:** Remember the correlation between steric numbers and hybridization types:
- Steric number 2 → sp
- Steric number 3 → sp²
- Steric number 4 → sp³
- Steric number 5 → sp³d
- Steric number 6 → sp³d²

### Step 6: Conclusion
The state of hybridization of xenon in the cationic part of solid XeF6 is sp³d².

**Final Answer:** The hybridization of xenon in the cationic part of solid XeF6 is sp³d².

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