In SF₄ (sulfur tetrafluoride), sulfur serves as the central atom. To ascertain the geometry and hybridization of this central atom, an examination of its Lewis structure and the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory is necessary.
1. **Lewis Structure of SF₄:**
* Sulfur contributes 6 valence electrons, and each fluorine atom contributes 7 valence electrons. The cumulative valence electron count for SF₄ is:
\[
6 \, (\text{from S}) + 4 \times 7 \, (\text{from F}) = 34 \, \text{electrons}
\]
* The Lewis structure depicts sulfur forming four single bonds with the fluorine atoms. Two lone pairs of electrons are also situated on the sulfur atom, resulting in a total of 6 electron pairs surrounding it.
2. **Electron Geometry:**
* Based on VSEPR theory, the presence of 6 electron pairs (4 bonding and 2 lone pairs) dictates an octahedral electron geometry. However, to minimize repulsion, lone pairs occupy equatorial positions. Consequently, the resultant molecular geometry is seesaw.
3. **Hybridization:**
* The central sulfur atom requires the formation of 4 sigma bonds with fluorine atoms and the accommodation of 2 lone pairs. This necessitates the involvement of sp³d hybrid orbitals, which are formed by the combination of one s orbital, three p orbitals, and one d orbital.
4. **Conclusion:**
* The molecular geometry of SF₄ is identified as seesaw, and the hybridization of the sulfur atom is sp³d.