Question

Comment on the nature of two S – O bonds formed in SO₂ molecules. Are the two S – O bonds in the molecule equal?

Answer 1

In the structure of SO₂, S is sp² – hybridised. Two of the three sp² – orbitals form two o-bonds while the third contains the lone pair of electrons. S is now left with one half – filled porbital and one half – filled d – orbitals. They form one pπ – pπ and one pπ – dπ double bond with oxygen atom. Thus, SO₂ has bent structure with oxygen atom. So, has bent structure with O – S – O bond angle of 119.50. Due to resonance, the two re-bonds are equal (143 pm)