Question

The type of hybrid orbitals used by iodine atom in hypoiodous acid molecule are

• A. $sp^{3}$
• B. $sp^{2}$
• C. $sp$
• D. $sp^{3}d$

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$sp^{3}$

Answer 2

Word 'hypo' reveals that in it I is in $+1$ oxidation state, ie, it is iodous (I) acid or HOI. In HOI, number of hybrid orbitals $=\frac{1}{2}[7+1-0+0]=4$ $\therefore$ In it, iodine atom uses $s p^{3}$ hybrid orbitals.