9.5. Hybridization and Molecular Orbitals http://www.ck12.org
9.5 Hybridization and Molecular Orbitals
Lesson Objectives
- Describe valence bond theory as it pertains to the formation of a covalent bond between atoms.
- Describe the process of electron promotion and hybridization during the formation of hybrid orbitals.
- Explain the relationship between electron domain geometry and the various types of hybrid orbitals.
- Distinguish between sigma and pi bonding.
Lesson Vocabulary
- valence bond theory: States that covalent bonds are formed by the overlap of partially filled atomic orbitals.
- hybridization: The mixing of the atomic orbitals in an atom to produce a set of hybrid orbitals.
- hybrid orbitals: The atomic orbitals obtained when two or more nonequivalent orbitals from the same atom
combine in preparation for bond formation. - sigma bond (σ): A bond formed by the overlap of orbitals in an end-to-end fashion, with the electron density
concentrated between the nuclei of the bonding atoms. - pi bond (π): A bond formed by the overlap of orbitals in a side-by-side fashion, with the electron density
concentrated above and below the plane of the nuclei of the bonding atoms. - molecular orbitals: Orbitals created as a result of atomic orbitals combining to make covalent bonds
Check Your Understanding
Recalling Prior Knowledge
- How are electrons arranged in atomic orbitals?
- What is the difference between the electron domain geometry of a molecule and its molecular geometry?
Earlier in this chapter, you learned how to draw Lewis electron-dot structures for molecules and predict their shapes
using VSEPR theory. In this lesson, we will see how these concepts relate to the way in which electrons behave in
their atomic orbitals when a covalent bond forms.
Introduction
Atoms form covalent bonds by sharing valence electrons. The valence electrons are located in atomic orbitals.
However, when a bond forms, the structure of the atomic orbitals changes. In this lesson, we will see how the atomic
orbitals interact to share valence electrons and form different types of covalent bonds.