How to find out the geometry of ClO4-
Structure of molecule depends on its hybridization and lone pares of central atom.
- Hybridization of any molecule can be determined by the following formula:
H=1/2{ V + X - C + A}
V=no. of valence electrons in central atom
X=no. of monovalent atoms around the central atom
C= +ve charge on cation
A= -ve charge on anion
If H= 2, it means hybridization is sp.
If H= 3, it means hybridization is sp2.
If H= 4, it means hybridization is sp3.
Now the given molecule is ClO4-.
Here central atom is Cl.
V= 7
X= 0
C= 0
A= 1
H=1/2{6 + 0 - 0 + 1) = 4
So hybridization of Cl in ClO4 is sp3.
- There is no lone pair on the Cl atom.
Hence there are 4 sp3 hybridized molecular orbitals present at 4 corners of a tetrahedron to give the molecule tetrahedral geometry.