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Arrange the following species in order of increasing percentage s-character of the hybrid orbitals used by the central atom: (I) CO3²-, (II) XeF4, (III) I3⁻, (IV) NCl3, (V) BeCl2.

1. II < III < IV < I < V
2. II < IV < III < V < I
3. III < II < I < V < IV
4. II < IV < III < I < V

Correct answer: II < III < IV < I < V

Solution

Central atom hybridizations: CO3²-: 3 regions of electron density -> sp2 (33%). XeF4: 6 regions (4 F + 2 lone pairs) -> sp3d2 (1/6 * 100 = 16.7%). I3⁻: 5 regions (2 bonds + 3 lone pairs) -> sp3d (20%). NCl3: 4 regions (3 bonds + 1 lone pair) -> sp3 (25%). BeCl2: 2 regions -> sp (50%). Increasing order of s-character: 16.7% < 20% < 25% < 33% < 50% => XeF4 < I3⁻ < NCl3 < CO3²- < BeCl2 => II < III < IV < I < V.

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