Explain the hybridization involved in SF₆ molecule ?

In the SF6 molecule, the central atom is Sulfur (S), which undergoes sp3d2 hybridization. Here's how it works:

1. Electronic Configuration of Sulfur:
   • Ground state of Sulfur: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁴
   • To bond with six Fluorine atoms, Sulfur needs six unpaired electrons. In the 2nd excited state, one electron from the 3s orbital and one from the 3p orbital are promoted to the 3d orbitals, resulting in: 3s¹ 3p³ 3d².

2. Hybridization:

   Sulfur combines its one 3s, three 3p, and two 3d orbitals to form six equivalent sp3d2 hybrid orbitals, each of which is half-filled.

3. Bond Formation:

   Each sp3d2 hybrid orbital on Sulfur overlaps axially with the half-filled 2pz orbital of Fluorine atoms, forming six strong σ-bonds.

4. Molecular Shape:

   The resulting structure of SF6 is octahedral, with bond angles of 90°.

In summary, the sf6 hybridization involves sp3d2 orbitals, which enable Sulfur to bond with six Fluorine atoms in a symmetrical octahedral geometry.