Which of the following overlapping is not present in XeO3 molecule ? — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Analyze the bonding and hybridization in XeO3. Xenon undergoes sp3 hybridization with one lone pair and three sigma bonds formed with Oxygen. Step 2: The three sigma bonds are formed by the overlap of the sp3 hybrid orbitals of Xenon with the p-orbitals of Oxygen. The three pi bonds are formed by d-pi p-pi back bonding, involving Xenon's d-orbitals and Oxygen's p-orbitals. Step 3: Since there are no hydrogen atoms or other s-orbital-based elements involved, there is no sp3 + s overlap in XeO3. Thus, option (d) is correct.