Question

Question #8e7c0

Answer 1

The central atom is `"S"`. Its hybridization is `"sp"^3`.

Explanation:

Central atom

The central atom is the least electronegative atom.

The electronegativities are

• `"S"color(white)(ll)"= 2.58"`
• `"O ="color(white)(l)"3.44"`
• `"Cl = 3.16"`

S has the lowest electronegativity, so it becomes the central atom.

We draw a skeleton structure with the `"S"` atom in the middle.

(Adapted from ChemSpider)

Then we add the electrons.

`"1S + 2O + 2Cl = (6 + 12 + 14) electrons = 32 electrons"`

After minimizing formal charges, we get the structure

(Adapted from ChemSpider)

Hybridization of `"S"`

There are four electron domains around the sulfur atom.

According to VSEPR theory, this corresponds to a tetrahedral structure.

(From Wikipedia)

The hybridization that gives a tetrahedral structure is `"sp"^3`.