Question

If the symbol X represents a central atom, Y represents outer atoms, and Z represents lone pairs on the central atom, the structure A central X atom has two lone pairs. Two Y atoms are attached to X with single bonds. could be abbreviated as XY2Z2. Classify these structures by the hybridization of the central atom.

Answer 1

Given information:

Central atom = X

# lone pairs on X = 2

# bonds by X = 2 i.e 2 X-Y bonds.

The structure can be represented as Y-:X:-Y

It can be abbreviated as XY2Z2 where Z2 represents the two lone pairs on the central atom X.

Based on the electron geometry which accounts for the 2 two pairs and the 2 bonds, the central atom X would be sp3 hybridized with a tetrahedral geometry

From a molecular geometry perspective (which does not consider the lone pairs), the structure would be linear.