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MCQEasyJEE 2026Hybridisation

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

Two pp-block elements XX and YY form fluorides of the type EF3EF_3. The fluoride compound XF3XF_3 is a Lewis acid and YF3YF_3 is a Lewis base. The hybridizations of the central atoms of XF3XF_3 and YF3YF_3 respectively are

  • A

    Both sp2sp^2

  • B

    Both sp3sp^3

  • C

    sp2sp^2 and sp3sp^3

  • D

    sp3sp^3 and sp2sp^2

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Two pp-block elements XX and YY form EF3EF_3 type fluorides. XF3XF_3 is a Lewis acid and YF3YF_3 is a Lewis base.

Find: The hybridizations of the central atoms in XF3XF_3 and YF3YF_3.

For XF3XF_3, being a Lewis acid means the central atom is electron-deficient and can accept an electron pair. Such a central atom has an incomplete octet and no lone pair, so the geometry is trigonal planar.

Hybridization of X=sp2\text{Hybridization of } X = sp^2

For YF3YF_3, being a Lewis base means the central atom has a lone pair available for donation. Thus, the central atom has three bond pairs and one lone pair, giving tetrahedral electron geometry.

Hybridization of Y=sp3\text{Hybridization of } Y = sp^3

Therefore, the hybridizations are sp2sp^2 and sp3sp^3. The correct option is C.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming both EF3EF_3 compounds must have the same hybridization because they have the same formula is incorrect. Lewis acidic and Lewis basic behavior depends on electron deficiency versus presence of a lone pair, so analyze the electron pair arrangement on the central atom separately.

  • Treating a Lewis acid as if it has a lone pair is wrong. A Lewis acid accepts an electron pair, so in XF3XF_3 the central atom is electron-deficient; this leads to trigonal planar arrangement and sp2sp^2 hybridization.

  • Ignoring the lone pair on the central atom in YF3YF_3 leads to the wrong hybridization. Since YF3YF_3 acts as a Lewis base, the central atom must have a lone pair available for donation, giving three bond pairs plus one lone pair and hence sp3sp^3 hybridization.

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