What is hybridization and number of lone electron pairs on the tellurium atom in the molecule, TeCl4?
A spºd, 2 lone pairs of e-
B. sp3, 1 lone pair of e-
c. spd, 2 lone pairs of e-
D. spºd, I lone pair of e-
E. Spº, O lone pair of e-
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: B. sp³, 1 lone pair of e⁻
Explanation:
1. Determining the Hybridization of Tellurium in TeCl₄
Tellurium (Te) is the central atom in the TeCl₄ molecule. To determine its hybridization, follow these steps:
- Count the valence electrons of tellurium:
Tellurium belongs to Group 16, so it has 6 valence electrons. - Add the contributions from chlorine atoms:
Each chlorine atom contributes 1 electron through bonding, and there are 4 chlorine atoms.
Total electrons from chlorine = ( 4 \times 1 = 4 ). - Find the total electron pairs around tellurium:
Total electrons = ( 6 \text{ (Te’s valence electrons)} + 4 \text{ (from Cl)} = 10 ).
Divide by 2 to find electron pairs:
( \frac{10}{2} = 5 \text{ electron pairs} ). - Assign the pairs as bonding and lone pairs:
Four pairs are used for bonding with the four chlorine atoms.
One pair remains as a lone pair on tellurium. - Hybridization determination:
The number of electron pairs (5) corresponds to sp³d hybridization, which usually forms a seesaw molecular geometry.
2. Lone Electron Pairs on Tellurium
As determined earlier, tellurium has one lone pair in the TeCl₄ molecule.
3. Molecular Geometry and Shape
The molecular geometry is seesaw, derived from the trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry. The lone pair occupies an equatorial position to minimize repulsion.
Summary
- Hybridization: sp³d
- Lone pairs: 1
- Molecular geometry: Seesaw