Is there a change in hybridization of the Al atom in the reaction: #AlCl_3 + Cl^(-) -> AlCl_4^-#?

1 Answer
Dec 9, 2015

The aluminum species accepts electron density from the chloride ion, and can be described as #sp^3# hybridized.

Explanation:

Before the reaction, the metal centre could be described as #sp^2# hybridized, and trigonal planar in structure. Much of the chemistry of aluminum can be described in terms of the metal filling its vacant #p# orbital to give a #sp^3# description.

What is the new geometry about #Al#??