Which geometry corresponds to sp2 hybridization?

Which geometry corresponds to sp2 hybridization?

• A. Trigonal planar
• B. Linear
• C. Tetrahedral
• D. Octahedral

Answer: (A)

sp2 hybridization uses three electron regions around the central atom, and these three hybrid orbitals arrange in a plane with about 120-degree angles. The three sp2 orbitals form sigma bonds (or hold lone pairs) in that plane, giving a trigonal planar geometry. An unhybridized p orbital remains perpendicular to the plane and can participate in pi bonding, as in double bonds. So the geometry around the atom is trigonal planar. The other geometries come from different numbers of electron regions: two regions give linear (sp), four regions give tetrahedral (sp3), and six regions give octahedral (sp3d2).

sp2 hybridization uses three electron regions around the central atom, and these three hybrid orbitals arrange in a plane with about 120-degree angles. The three sp2 orbitals form sigma bonds (or hold lone pairs) in that plane, giving a trigonal planar geometry. An unhybridized p orbital remains perpendicular to the plane and can participate in pi bonding, as in double bonds. So the geometry around the atom is trigonal planar. The other geometries come from different numbers of electron regions: two regions give linear (sp), four regions give tetrahedral (sp3), and six regions give octahedral (sp3d2).