Question

Describe the change in hybridization (if any) of the Al atom in the following reaction.

AlCl₃ + Cl^- → AlCl₄^-

Answer 1

AlCl₃ + Cl^- → AlCl₄^-

                 Tetrahedral geometry sp³ hybridization

Aluminium chloride exists as dinner Al₂Cl₆. In this molecule chlorine atoms are arranged tetrahedrally around the two Al atoms.

Thus Al atoms show sp3 hybridization in Al₂Cl₆. Thus, there is no change in the hybridization of Al atom in the given reaction.