Which of the following compounds exhibits sp2 hybridization at the central atom?

• A. H2O
• B. CH4
• C. NH3
• D. BF3

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom in each compound and determine its valence electron configuration.
2. Recall that sp2 hybridization occurs when the central atom forms three sigma bonds and has a trigonal planar geometry, involving one s orbital and two p orbitals hybridizing.
3. Analyze each compound: H2O has oxygen with two lone pairs and two bonds (usually sp3 hybridized), CH4 has carbon with four single bonds (sp3 hybridized), NH3 has nitrogen with three bonds and one lone pair (sp3 hybridized).
4. BF3 has boron as the central atom bonded to three fluorine atoms with no lone pairs, resulting in three regions of electron density and trigonal planar geometry, which corresponds to sp2 hybridization.
5. Conclude that BF3 exhibits sp2 hybridization at the central atom because it has three bonding regions and no lone pairs, fitting the criteria for sp2 hybridization.