The hybridization of the central atom in SF ₄ is sp ^x d ^y and the number of lone pairs on the central atom is z . The value of (x + y + z) is

Step-by-step solution

The steric number (SN) of the central sulfur atom in SF ₄ is calculated as: SN = 1 2 ( Valence electrons on S + Number of monovalent atoms ) = 1 2 (6 + 4) = 5 A steric number of 5 corresponds to sp ^3 d hybridization. Comparing this with sp ^x d ^y , we get x = 3 and y = 1 . The number of lone pairs on the central atom is given by: Lone pairs = Steric number - Number of bonded atoms = 5 - 4 = 1 Thus, z = 1 . The required sum is x + y + z = 3 + 1 + 1 = 5 . Answer: 5