What type of hybridisation is present in square planar geometry of complex [ Ni ( CN )₄ ]²⁻

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Oxidation state of nickel: With CN - ligands (charge -1) and overall charge -2, x + 4(-1) = -2 yields x = +2 , so Ni 2+ is present. Electron configuration: Ni atom is [Ar] 4s 2 3d 8 , so Ni 2+ is [Ar] 3d 8 . Effect of ligand field: Cyanide is a strong field ligand, causing pairing of electrons in d-orbitals. The d 8 configuration with pairing renders one 3d orbital empty. Hybridization involves this empty d orbital, the empty 4s orbital, and two empty 4p orbitals, forming sp^2d hybridization. This hybridization is