Question

Explain the structure of sulphur dioxide.

Answer 1

SO2 molecule has a bent structure with an O–S–O bond angle of 119°.

Sulphur is sp2 hybridised and the lone pair of electrons of sulphur reduces the bond angle from 120° to 119°.

In the structure, each oxygen atom is attached to sulphur by an σ and a π bond.

The σ bonds between S and O are formed by sp²–p overlap, while one of the π bonds is formed from pπ– pπ overlap and other from pπ–dπ overlap.

Both S–O bonds are identical because of resonance.