What is the hybridization of the central atom in NOCl? Hybridization- What are the approximate bond angles in this Bond angles substance
The correct answer and explanation is :
In NOCl (Nitrosyl chloride), the central atom is nitrogen (N). To determine the hybridization of the nitrogen atom and the bond angles in the molecule, let’s break it down:
1. Hybridization of the Central Atom (Nitrogen):
Nitrosyl chloride (NOCl) is a molecule that consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to an oxygen atom (forming a double bond) and a chlorine atom (forming a single bond). To find the hybridization of nitrogen, we need to consider the electron pairs around the nitrogen atom.
- Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons.
- In NOCl, nitrogen forms one double bond with oxygen and one single bond with chlorine. Additionally, there is one lone pair of electrons on nitrogen.
This means that nitrogen in NOCl has:
- One sigma bond with chlorine.
- One pi bond and one sigma bond with oxygen (double bond with oxygen).
- One lone pair of electrons.
Therefore, the nitrogen atom has three bonding regions (one with chlorine, one with oxygen, and the double bond) and one lone pair of electrons, making a total of four electron regions around the nitrogen atom.
According to the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, four electron pairs around the central atom generally result in sp³ hybridization. However, because one of these regions is a lone pair, the actual geometry is slightly distorted from the ideal sp³ geometry, leading to a trigonal pyramidal shape.
2. Bond Angles:
The ideal bond angles for a molecule with sp³ hybridization are 109.5°, but because one of the electron pairs on nitrogen is a lone pair, the bond angles are slightly less than 109.5° due to the lone pair’s greater repulsion compared to bonding pairs.
Therefore, the bond angles in NOCl are slightly less than 109.5°.
Conclusion:
- The hybridization of the nitrogen atom in NOCl is sp³.
- The approximate bond angles are slightly less than 109.5°, due to the lone pair on nitrogen.
Here is a molecular model of NOCl (Nitrosyl chloride) showing the central nitrogen atom, double-bonded to oxygen and single-bonded to chlorine, with a lone pair on nitrogen. The structure is trigonal pyramidal, which reflects the bond angles being slightly less than 109.5° due to the lone pair.