Explain hybridization of N in Nitrogen Dioxide.

Question

Explain hybridization of N in NO₂.

Answer 1

In NO₂, Nitrogen atom needs three hybridised orbitals to accomodate two sigma bonds and a single electron, so it has sp² hybridisation. Each of the three sp² hybrid orbitals in nitrogen has one electron and the p orbital also has one electron. After two sigma bonds, only one sp² hybrid orbital has one electron and one p orbital has one electron as well. The p orbital is involved in pi bond with one oxygen atom.