Question

Which of the molecule/species has ${d^3}s$ hybridization?
(A) $Cr{O_2}C{l_2}$
(B) $PC{l_4}^ +$
(C) $N{H_4}^ +$
(D) $Cl{O_3}^ -$

Answer 1

The term ‘hybridization’ referred to as the process of mixing of atomic orbitals which have minute differences in their energies and these energies are redistributed as to form new atomic orbitals of equivalent energies and have similar shape. The concept of hybridization came into existence because valence bond theory failed to predict the molecular structure of some molecule.

Complete answer:
The chemical name of the compound with structure $Cr{O_2}C{l_2}$ is chromyl chloride. It is a coordinate compound with tetrahedral geometry. It is an inorganic compound.

The chromium atom in $Cr{O_2}C{l_2}$ undergoes ${d^3}s$ hybridisation. The oxidation state of chromium in chromyl chloride is +6.
The electronic configuration of chromium is given as $\left[ {Ar} \right]3{d^5}4{s^1}$
In ${d^3}s$ hybridization of chromium, the atomic orbitals involved are 4s, 3dxy, 3dyz and 3dxz.

**So, the correct answer is Option (A) $Cr{O_2}C{l_2}$

Note: **
Students might get confused about which hybridisation is taking place in chromyl chloride. As the complex has tetrahedral geometry, students might think that the central chromium atom undergoes $s{p^3}$ hybridisation. That is not true. The central chromium atom undergoes ${d^3}s$ hybridization.