Hybridization
The molecular configurations derived by VSEPR can also be arrived at through
the concept of hybridization. Briefly stated, this means that chemists envision that
two or more pure atomic orbitals (usually s, p, and d) can be mixed to form two
or more new hybrid atomic orbitals that are identical and conform to the known
shapes of molecules. Hybridization can be illustrated as follows:
- sp Hybrid Orbitals
Spectroscopic measurements of beryllium fluoride, BeF 2 , reveal a
bond angle of 180° and equal bond lengths.