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°)

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