Hybridization - Introduction

Hybridization - Introduction

The shapes of organic molecules may be understood by looking at the hybridization adopted by each of the atoms in the molecule. The hybridization adopted can be calculated by adding up the number of bonded atoms and the number of lone pairs. The three hybridizations we will look at are shown below.

# bonded atoms +
# lone pairs hybridization hybrid orbital composition

4 sp³ 1 s + 3 p orbitals

3 sp² 1 s + 2 p orbitals

2 sp 1 s + 1 p orbital

The table below summarizes the arrangements found for the atoms most commonly found in organic molecules.

atom # of bonded atoms # of lone pairs hybridization shape

carbon 4 0 sp³ tetrahedral

3 0 sp² trigonal

2 0 sp linear

nitrogen 3 1 sp³ trigonal pyramidal

2 1 sp² bent (120°)

oxygen 2 2 sp³ bent (109°)

sulfur 2 2 sp³ bent (109°)

# bonded atoms + # lone pairs	hybridization	hybrid orbital composition
4	sp³	1 s + 3 p orbitals
3	sp²	1 s + 2 p orbitals
2	sp	1 s + 1 p orbital

atom	# of bonded atoms	# of lone pairs	hybridization	shape
carbon	4	0	sp³	tetrahedral
	3	0	sp²	trigonal
	2	0	sp	linear
nitrogen	3	1	sp³	trigonal pyramidal
nitrogen	2	1	sp²	bent (120°)
oxygen	2	2	sp³	bent (109°)
sulfur	2	2	sp³	bent (109°)