Draw the Lewis structure of SOF4 (with minimized formal charges) and then determine the hybridization of the central atom. A) sp3 B) sp C) sp2 D) sp3d E) sp3d2 Click to draw new structure
Draw the Lewis structure of SOF4 (with minimized formal charges) and then determine the hybridization of the central atom. A) sp3 B) sp C) sp2 D) sp3d E) sp3d2 Click to draw new structure
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: D) sp³d
Lewis Structure of SOF₄ (Thionyl Tetrafluoride):
To draw the Lewis structure for SOF₄, follow these steps:
- Count valence electrons:
- Sulfur (S): 6 valence electrons
- Oxygen (O): 6 valence electrons
- Fluorine (F): 7 valence electrons × 4 = 28
- Total = 6 + 6 + 28 = 40 valence electrons
- Determine central atom:
Sulfur is the least electronegative (except H), so it’s the central atom. - Connect atoms with single bonds:
- S is bonded to one O and four F atoms → 5 single bonds
- Each single bond uses 2 electrons × 5 = 10 electrons
- Distribute remaining 30 electrons:
- Assign lone pairs to the outer atoms (F and O) to complete their octets. Each F needs 6 more electrons (3 lone pairs) and O needs 6 more as well.
- Check formal charges and adjust if needed:
- O often forms a double bond with S to minimize formal charges.
- So, replace one S–O single bond with a double bond.
- Final structure:
- S has four single bonds to F atoms and one double bond to O.
- Each F has 3 lone pairs; O has 2 lone pairs.
This structure minimizes formal charges:
- Sulfur: Formal charge = 6 – (0 lone e⁻ + 10 bonding e⁻/2) = 6 – 5 = +1
- Oxygen: 6 – (4 lone e⁻ + 4 bonding e⁻/2) = 6 – 6 = 0
- Fluorine: Each F has a formal charge of 0
Hybridization:
Sulfur is bonded to 5 regions of electron density (4 F atoms and 1 O atom). This corresponds to:
- 5 electron domains → sp³d hybridization
Conclusion:
- The Lewis structure of SOF₄ features sulfur in the center with one double bond to oxygen and four single bonds to fluorine atoms.
- The sulfur atom has sp³d hybridization because it forms five sigma bonds.
- Therefore, the correct answer is:
✅ D) sp³d.
