Orbital Hybridisation: Myth or Misconception?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of orbital hybridization in chemistry, questioning its validity and the visual representations commonly associated with it. Participants explore theoretical implications and interpretations of hybridization, touching on both conceptual and mathematical aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of orbital hybridization, suggesting it may be a form of "hand-waving."
  • Others argue that orbital hybridization is a useful model, describing electron behavior as a probability cloud rather than fixed orbits.
  • A participant questions the visual representation of hybrid orbitals, particularly the combination of s and p orbitals into tetrahedral shapes, indicating confusion about how this occurs.
  • Another participant suggests that the mathematical basis for orbitals may not align with intuitive visualizations, implying that the theory is supported by research despite its complexity.
  • There is a call for further contributions from others to clarify the discussion and provide additional perspectives.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views regarding the validity and interpretation of orbital hybridization, with some defending it and others questioning its usefulness.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include differing interpretations of visual representations of orbitals and the reliance on statistical mathematics, which may not be fully understood by all participants.

RK7
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Is it basically wrong? It just seems like hand-waving...
 
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What do you mean?

afaik, orbital hybridisation is pretty much how it works. You got a space of probability where you can find an electron or set of electrons. The electron(s) in question is/are essentially everywhere in that cloud at once. It's like a probability cloud.

All that stuff about neat, circular orbitals is what's wrong.
 
anisotropic said:
What do you mean?

afaik, orbital hybridisation is pretty much how it works. You got a space of probability where you can find an electron or set of electrons. The electron(s) in question is/are essentially everywhere in that cloud at once. It's like a probability cloud.

All that stuff about neat, circular orbitals is what's wrong.

I'm talking about an s orbital and 3 p orbitals nicely combining to make nice convenient orbitals which happen to point outwards tetrahedrally. I don't see how that works.
 
I haven't done orbital hybridisation in ages, but my guess is the orbitals are based on pure statistical math. Just because it doesn't make sense visually on first glance, doesn't mean it's wrong. Besides, most research likely supports the theory.

That being said, just looking at an s and 3 p orbitals, I can see how the resultant hybrid orbitals exist as they do.

Can anyone else chime in here?
 
RK7 said:
Is it basically wrong? It just seems like hand-waving...

No it's not wrong. Besides that, what precisely is your question?
 

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