Question

Hybridization of iron in `Fe(CO)_(5)` is
A. `dsP^(3)`
B. `sP^(3)d`
C. `d^(2)sP^(3)`
D. `sP^(3)d^(2)`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - A
The oxidation number of iron in `][Fe(CO)_(5)]` is 0. The ground state electronic configuration of Fe is `[Ar]3d^(6) 4s^(2)` Since CO is a strong field ligand, it helps Fe to rearrange the electrons in 3d subshell. This gives an unoccupied 3d orbital for `dsp^(3)` hybrization. The orbital diagram for the complex molecule is