Question

Mention the types of orbitals that undergo hybridization in order to get octahedral geometry?

(a) s-orbital only

(b) s-orbital and p-orbital

(c) s-orbital, p-orbital, and d-orbital

(d) d-orbital and p-orbital

I had been asked this question in an online interview.

My query is from Molecular Structure topic in chapter Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct answer is (c) s-orbital, p-orbital, and d-orbital

Explanation: Octahedral geometry is possible when the atomic orbitals under undergoing sp^3d^2 or d^2sp^3 hydration only. So it involves one s-orbital, three p-orbitals, and two d-orbitals. An example of this is SF6.