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AAT Bioquest

What are the basic shapes of hybridization?

Posted February 22, 2024


Answer

The basic shapes of hybridization are: linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal-by-pyramidal, and octahedral. 

  • Linear is the first basic shape of hybridization. Two orbitals are connected to a single atom, aligning in the same straight line at 180 degrees. This configuration is found in sp hybridization. 
  • In the trigonal planar shape, an atom is connected to three hybridized orbitals arranged at 120 degrees from the atom's equator. This shape is typically associated with sp2 hybridization. 
  • The tetrahedral shape resembles a tetrahedron, with four orbitals converging at one atom, each positioned at 109.5 degrees. This shape is commonly formed in molecules undergoing sp3 hybridization. No unhybridized p orbitals exist in the shell when this shape is formed. 
  • The trigonal bipyramidal shape, occurring in molecules with sp3d hybridization, involves an atom at the center connected to five orbitals. This shape can be visualized as two three-dimensional triangles lying at the same base. Three orbitals link to atoms at 109.5 degrees. 
  • The octahedral shape results from sp3d2 hybridization. In this shape, six orbitals are linked at right angles (90 degrees) to the atom. 
Additional resources

Hybrid Atomic Orbitals

Nucleus

ReadiUse™ Tyramide (TSA)/Styramide (PSA) Optimized Reaction Buffer