Two p-block elements X and Y form fluorides of the type EF3. The fluoride compound XF3 is a Lewis acid and YF3 is a Lewis base. The hybridizations of the central atoms of XF3 and YF3 respectively are
- sp2 and sp3
- Both sp3
- Both sp2
- sp3 and sp2
Answer
(1) sp2 and sp3
Solution
XF3 is a Lewis acid X has only 6 valence electrons (3 bond pairs, no lone pair), e.g. BF3
3 electron pairs sp2 (trigonal planar).
YF3 is a Lewis base Y has a lone pair to donate, e.g. NF3
3 bond pairs + 1 lone pair sp3 (trigonal pyramidal).
sp2 and sp3
Answer: (1)