The hybridised orbitals used by silver in the complex [Ag(NH3)2]+ are of the type : — Coordination Compounds Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify the oxidation state and electronic configuration of silver in [Ag(NH3)2]^+. Since ammonia is a neutral ligand, silver is in the +1 oxidation state (Ag^+), which has a completely filled d^10 configuration ([Kr] 4d^10). Step 2: Because the 4d subshell is completely filled, none of the d-orbitals can participate in hybridization. To accommodate two monodentate ammonia ligands (coordination number = 2), the metal ion requires two vacant hybrid orbitals to accept the lone pairs. Step 3: Ag^+ utilizes its vacant outer 5s and one 5p orbital, which undergo mixing to form two equivalent linear sp hybrid orbitals. Therefore, the hybridization is sp, corresponding to option (b).