What is the hybridization of bromine in the BrO2- ion?

• A. sp3
• B. dsp3
• C. sp
• D. sp2

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Draw the Lewis structure of the BrO\_2\textsuperscript{-} ion. Count the total valence electrons: bromine has 7, each oxygen has 6, and add 1 extra electron for the negative charge, giving a total of 7 + 2\times6 + 1 = 20 electrons.
2. Step 2: Arrange the atoms with bromine as the central atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Distribute the electrons to satisfy the octet rule for oxygen atoms first, then place remaining electrons on bromine.
3. Step 3: Determine the number of electron domains (regions of electron density) around the bromine atom. These include bonding pairs (Br–O bonds) and lone pairs on bromine.
4. Step 4: Use the electron domain count to assign the hybridization of bromine. For example, 3 electron domains correspond to sp\^2 hybridization, 4 to sp\^3, and so on.
5. Step 5: Confirm the hybridization by considering the molecular geometry predicted by VSEPR theory based on the number of bonding and lone pairs around bromine.