sp^2 hybridization

From: Eric Scerri <scerri #*at*# chem.ucla.edu>
Subject: sp^2 hybridization
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 01:20:32 -0800
 When we teach hybridization at an elementary level we say that sp^2
 hybridization involves the mixing of three pure atomic orbitals, s, py and
 pz.
 However the formal expressions for the linear combinations of orbitals show
 an asymmetry in that one of the hybrid orbitals consists of contributions
 from s and Py only while the other two hybrid orbitals are genuine mixtures
 of all three pure A.O.
 My question is whether it is possible to define the hybrid orbitals so that
 all three are guninely mixtures of the three pure A.O. and if so why is
 this not generally carried out?
 regards,
 eric scerri
 Dr. Eric R. Scerri
 Visiting Professor,
 Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry,
 UCLA,
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 Los Angles,  CA 90095-1569,
 USA
 tel:  310 206 7443
 fax:  310 206 2061
 Web page:  http://www.chem.ucla.edu/dept/Faculty/scerri/index.html
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