Name: Hybridisation in SF₆ Molecule
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: Understand the bonding present in the case of sulphur hexafluoride. This video illustrates that the hybridisation present in the case of sulphur hexafluoride...

Question

Write the important conditions necessary for linear combination of atomic orbitals.

Accepted Answer

The linear combination of atomic orbitals to form molecular orbitals is possible only when they satisfy the following conditions:

(i) Similar energy of combining atomic orbitals The combining atomic orbitals must possess the same or nearly the same energy. It means that $1 s$ -orbital can combine with another $1 s$ -orbital but not with $2 s$ -orbital because the energy of $2 s$ -orbital is appreciably higher than that of $1 s$ -orbital.

(ii) Similar symmetry of combining atomic orbitals: The combining atomic orbitals must possess the same symmetry about the molecular axis along with the same energy. If the orbitals have the same energy, but their symmetry is not the same, they will not combine, e.g., $2 p_{z}$ -orbital of one atom can combine with $2 p_{z}$ -orbital of the other atom but not with the $2 p_{x}$ or $2 p_{y}$ -orbitals as their symmetries are different.

(iii) Maximum overlap: The combining atomic orbitals must overlap to the maximum extent. Higher the extent of overlapping more will be the electron density between the nuclei of a molecular orbital.

Write the important conditions necessary for linear combination of atomic orbitals.

Important Questions on Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

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