Which of the following species used both axial set of d-orbitals in hybridisation of central atom? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify that the two axial d-orbitals in octahedral symmetries are d_z^2 and d_x^2-y^2, which are utilized in sp3d2 hybridization. Step 2: Determine the hybridization of the central atom in each ion: PBr4+ is sp3, PCl4- is sp3d, and ICl4- has 4 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs, resulting in sp3d2 hybridization. Step 3: Thus, the central iodine in ICl4- uses both axial d-orbitals (sp3d2), which corresponds to option (c).