Define hybridization.

Hybridization refers to the process of cross-breeding two different species of plants or animals to produce a hybrid, with the aim of creating a new variety with desirable traits from both parent species.

• Hybridization is the intermixing of atomic orbitals having the same energy levels to provide a same number of a new type of hybrid orbitals.
• In molecular biology, hybridization refers to the process of binding complementary single-stranded nucleic acids, like DNA or RNA, to form a stable double-stranded molecule.
• The term is also used to describe the formation of hybrid orbitals in chemistry.
• Mainly, the atomic orbitals having the same energy level take part in hybridization.

Types of Hybridization

The different types of hybridization are – 

sp³ hybridization

SP³ hybridization is a chemical bonding process in which one s orbital and three p orbitals mix together to form a new equivalent orbital.

• This hybridization occurs in molecules where the central atom has one s and three p orbitals, such as methane (CH4) and NH₃. 

sp² hybridization

When a s orbital and two p orbitals of an atom mix together to form a new orbital, it is called sp2 hybridization.

• This type of hybridization is commonly seen in BF₃. 

sp hybridization

When a s and a p orbital from the same shell of an atom combine to form a new orbital, it is called sp hybridization.

• This type of hybridization is typically seen in molecules with an sp3 hybridization that results in tetrahedral geometry around the central atom
• The molecules showing sp hybridization, have a linear shape and a 180° angle.

sp³d Hybridization

sp³d hybridization mixes one- s orbital, three- p orbitals and one- d orbital to form 5 sp³d hybridized orbitals having equal energy.

• The mixture of s, p and d orbital has trigonal bipyramidal symmetry.
• Three hybrid orbitals in the horizontal plane are inclined at a 120° angle known as the equatorial orbitals.
• The remaining two orbitals are in a vertical plane at 90 degrees known as axial orbitals.
• For example: PCl₅.

sp³d² hybridization

sp³d² hybridization involves the mixing of one s, three p, and two d orbitals to form 6 identical sp³d² hybrid orbitals.

• These 6 orbitals are inclined at an angle of 90^o to one another.
• For example, SF₆.

sp³d³ hybridization

This involves the process of mixing one s orbital, three p orbitals, and three d orbitals to form seven sp³d³ hybrid orbitals with equivalent energy.

For example – IF₇

Read More: