Which one of the following hybridizations is involved in the compounds having bipyramidal structure?

CONCEPT:

Hybridization and Molecular Geometry

• Hybridization is the process of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for the pairing of electrons.
• The geometry of a molecule depends on the type of hybridization involved.
• A trigonal bipyramidal structure corresponds to sp³d hybridization.
• An octahedral structure corresponds to sp³d² hybridization.

EXPLANATION:

• In molecules with bipyramidal geometry:
  • The central atom utilizes one s orbital, three p orbitals, and one d orbital to form five sp³d hybrid orbitals.
  • These hybrid orbitals arrange themselves to minimize electron repulsion, forming a trigonal bipyramidal structure.
• Examples of compounds with trigonal bipyramidal geometry include:
  • PCl₅ (Phosphorus pentachloride)
  • PF₅ (Phosphorus pentafluoride)
• Other hybridizations, such as sp³d², sp³d³, and d²sp³, result in different molecular geometries (e.g., octahedral or pentagonal bipyramidal).

Therefore, the hybridization involved in compounds having bipyramidal structure is sp³d.