Wednesday, August 9, 2017

coordination compounds - Hybridisation of Mn in potassium permanganate


I'm clear with the concepts of crystal field theory. But I can't figure out the exact reason why the hybridisation of manganese in potassium permanganate ($\ce{KMnO4}$) is $\mathrm{d^3s}$. Can anyone explain please?



Answer



This is formally a manganese(VII) compound and hence there are no 3d electrons.


The four $\ce{O^2-}$ ions are considered to be donating two electrons each to the atomic orbitals. Tetrahedral "hybridisation" can be achieved by using the $\mathrm{4s},~\mathrm{3d}_{xy},~\mathrm{3d}_{yz}$, and $\mathrm{3d}_{xz}$ AOs. Since in Mn(VII) the $\mathrm{3d}$ AOs are lower in energy than the $\mathrm{4s}$ and $\mathrm{4p}$ AOs, the "hybridisation" is best considered as $\mathrm{d^3s}$.


I have put "hybridisation" in quotes because it is not used in advanced chemistry (it is an artifact!) but it is correct in saying that the bonding MOs contain mostly $\mathrm{4s},~\mathrm{3d}_{xy},~\mathrm{3d}_{yz}$ character but they'll also probably mix some $\mathrm{4p}$ character in there for good measure!


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