Hybridisation and Molecular Orbital Theory
Hybridisation mixes atomic orbitals to explain observed geometries, while molecular orbital theory combines atomic orbitals into bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.
What is Hybridisation and Molecular Orbital Theory?
Hybridisation mixes atomic orbitals to explain observed geometries, while molecular orbital theory combines atomic orbitals into bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.
Key formula / rule: sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridisation give linear, trigonal planar and tetrahedral geometries.
Key points
- Identify the hybridisation of a central atom from electron domains.
- Compute bond order using molecular orbital diagrams.
Common exam trap
Assigning hybridisation from the number of atoms rather than electron domains.
Definitions
- Term
Hybridisation and Molecular Orbital Theory
- Meaning
Hybridisation mixes atomic orbitals to explain observed geometries, while molecular orbital theory combines atomic orbitals into bonding and antibonding molecular orbitals.
- Term
Hybridisation and Molecular Orbital Theory — explanation
- Meaning
Valence bond theory explains shape but not magnetism; MO theory explains the paramagnetism of oxygen and defines bond order as half the difference of bonding and antibonding electrons.
Learning objectives
Identify the hybridisation of a central atom from electron domains.
Compute bond order using molecular orbital diagrams.
Formulae
- Key point
sp, sp2 and sp3 hybridisation give linear, trigonal planar and tetrahedral geometries.
- Key point
Bond order equals half the difference between bonding and antibonding electrons.
- Key point
MO theory correctly predicts the paramagnetism of O2.
Prerequisites
CHE-U2-CB-T1-S1-C2
Common mistakes
Assigning hybridisation from the number of atoms rather than electron domains.
Counting antibonding electrons as bonding in bond order.
Keywords
Hybridisation
Molecular
Orbital
Theory
Practice preview
What is the primary purpose of hybridisation in valence bond theory?…
easy
According to Molecular Orbital Theory, when two atomic orbitals combine, they form:…
easy
What is the hybridisation of the central atom in XeF2?…
medium