Using the VSEPR theory, identify the type of hybridisation and draw the structure of OF2. What are the oxidalion states ofo and F ?

Question

Using the VSEPR theory, identify the type of hybridisation and draw the structure of OF₂. What are the oxidation states of O and F ?

Answer 1

ln OF₂, oxygen in sp³-hybrid

Hence, four sp^3-hybrid orbitals are obtained, in these two are already paired and rest two are overlapped with two p-orbitals of two fluorine atoms on their axes. Thus in this molecule, due to the presence of two lone pair orbitals, they have maximum repulsion (repulsion between lone pair-lone pair) and due to this repulsion, geometry of OF₂ molecule is distorted from tetrahedral to V-shaped.

In OF₂, oxidation state of oxygen is +2 while oxidation state of fluorine is -1 due to highest electronegativity of fluorine.