Hybridisation Doubt: When Does it Take Place and When Not?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of hybridization in molecular structures, specifically focusing on the example of BF3. Participants explore why boron undergoes sp2 hybridization while fluorine does not, despite having lone pairs and bond pairs. The conversation also touches on the implications of hybridization for molecular geometry and the general conditions under which hybridization occurs.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why fluorine is not hybridized in BF3, suggesting it could have sp3 hybridization due to its lone pairs and bond pair.
  • Another participant speculates whether hybridization of fluorine would change the final geometry of the molecule.
  • A different participant expresses doubt that hybridization would affect the geometry, implying that it may not be relevant to the overall structure.
  • Some participants assert that the arrangement of orbitals in fluorine can be assumed to be in their standard configuration, indicating that hybridization may not be necessary for understanding the molecular shape.
  • One participant notes that hybridization is largely a mathematical concept and an approximation of reality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and implications of hybridization for fluorine in BF3. There is no consensus on whether hybridization affects the molecular geometry or how to interpret the role of hybridization in this context.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the assumptions regarding hybridization and its applicability to different atoms in the molecule. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical or conceptual steps involved in understanding hybridization.

Vatsal Goyal
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There is an example given in my textbook showing the structure of BF3. In it, they have hybridised the orbitals of B to sp2, but not of F. It's written sp2-p overlapping. Why isn't flourine also hybridised, seeing it has 3 lone pairs and 1 bond pair, it could have sp3 hybridisation? Also, in general when does hybridisation take place and when does it not?
 
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Vatsal Goyal said:
Why isn't flourine also hybridised, seeing it has 3 lone pairs and 1 bond pair, it could have sp3 hybridisation?

Would it change the final geometry of the molecule?
 
No, I don't think it would. Is that somehow related to the answer?
 
Then it doesn't matter.
 
Borek said:
Then it doesn't matter.
I don't get it, how would the orbitals be arranged in fluorine then?
 
It doesn't matter for the shape of the molecule - you can assume there is no hybridization and orbitals in fluorine are in their standard one s and three p arrangement.

Please remember hybridization is largely a mathematical concept that helps understand what is going on, but is only an approximation of reality.
 

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