To determine the hybridization of Xe in XeO2, we consider the following steps:
1. Count the total number of valence electrons: Xe has 8 valence electrons, each oxygen has 6 valence electrons, giving a total of 8 + 2(6) = 20 valence electrons.
2. Determine the number of electron pairs: 20 valence electrons / 2 = 10 electron pairs.
3. Assign lone pairs: Each oxygen atom forms two bonds with Xe, making four electron pairs (2 oxygen atoms * 2 bonds = 4 electron pairs).
4. Determine the hybridization based on the electron pairs: The four electron pairs around Xe indicate that it has a tetrahedral electron pair geometry. To achieve this geometry, sp3d hybridization is required, which involves the mixing of one s orbital, three p orbitals, and one d orbital of Xe.
Therefore, the hybridization of Xe in XeO2 is sp3d, resulting in a tetrahedral molecular geometry.
