What is the hybridization of the As atom in the AsF5 molecule?

• A. sp3
• B. sp3d2
• C. sp2
• D. sp3d

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Determine the Lewis structure of AsF5. Arsenic (As) is the central atom bonded to five fluorine (F) atoms. Each As-F bond is a single bond, and there are no lone pairs on the As atom.
2. Step 2: Count the regions of electron density (bonding and lone pairs) around the As atom. Since As is bonded to five fluorine atoms and has no lone pairs, there are five regions of electron density.
3. Step 3: Use the VSEPR theory to predict the electron geometry based on the number of electron density regions. Five regions correspond to a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry.
4. Step 4: Identify the hybridization that corresponds to a trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The hybridization for five electron regions is sp\3d.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the hybridization of the As atom in AsF5 is sp\3d, which matches the trigonal bipyramidal shape and bonding pattern.