Question

State the type of hybrid orbital associated with S in SF₆.

Answer 1

1. In SF₆, sulphur (S) undergoes sp³d² hybridisation.
2. This hybridisation involves one s, three p, and two d orbitals combining to form six equivalent sp³d² hybrid orbitals.
3. These six hybrid orbitals arrange themselves octahedrally around the sulphur atom.
4. Each hybrid orbital overlaps with a fluorine atom’s orbital to form six S-F sigma bonds.
5. Thus, SF₆ has an octahedral shape with sulphur using sp³d² hybrid orbitals.