Question

Discuss the structure:

SO₃

Discuss the formation and structure of SO₃ molecule.

Mention the structure of SO₃.

Answer 1

In the gaseous form, sulphur trioxide (SO₃) is a planar triangular molecular species. The SO₃ molecule has three \[\ce{S - O}\] σ-bonds and three \[\ce{S - O}\] π-bonds. The angle of the \[\ce{O - S - O}\] bond is 120°. The S atom in SO₃ appears to be in a state of sp² hybridisation based on the bond angle of 120°. As a result, of the three \[\ce{S - O}\] π-bonds, two should be d_π-p_π bonds and one should be p_π-p_π.