Question

Can someone explain to me what the hybridization and molecular geometry for p2O7-4 would be considered?

Answer 1

Here's what I get.

Explanation:

Step 1. Draw the Lewis structure

There are three central atoms: `"P, P, O"`.

Arrange them symmetrically in the order: `"P-O-P"`.

Attach the remaining `"O"` atoms as terminal atoms and arrange electrons to give each atom an octet (the `"P"` atoms will get expanded octets).

Step 2. Use VSEPR theory to determine the electron geometries

There are four electron domains around each central atom.

This corresponds to tetrahedral electron geometries and `"sp"^3` hybridization.

Step 3. Determine the molecular geometries

Each `"P"` atom has four bonding electron domains and no lone pairs (`"AX"_4`).

The molecular geometry around each `"P"` atom is tetrahedral.

The central `"O"` atom has two bond pairs and two lone pairs (`"AX"_2"E"_2`).

This corresponds to a bent molecular geometry.

The shape of the pyrophosphate ion is