What is the hybridization of the central iodine atom in the iodine trifluoride (IF_3) molecule?

• A. sp^3
• B. sp^3d^2
• C. sp^3d
• D. sp^2

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in the molecule, which is iodine (I) in IF_3.
2. Determine the number of valence electrons on the central iodine atom. Iodine is in group 17, so it has 7 valence electrons.
3. Count the number of atoms bonded to iodine and any lone pairs on iodine. IF_3 has 3 fluorine atoms bonded to iodine, and iodine will have lone pairs to complete its octet or expanded octet.
4. Calculate the steric number, which is the sum of bonded atoms and lone pairs around iodine. The steric number determines the hybridization. For example, a steric number of 5 corresponds to sp^3d hybridization.
5. Based on the steric number and the molecular geometry, assign the hybridization of the central iodine atom. For IF_3, the steric number is 5, so the hybridization is sp^3d.