The term “sp³ hybridization” refers to the mixing character of one 2s-orbital and three 2p-orbitals to create four hybrid orbitals with similar characteristics. In order for an atom to be sp³ hybridized, it must have an s orbital and three p orbitals.

From wave function to the visual representation:

Four equivalent sp3 hybrid orbitals, resulting from the combination of one s atomic orbital and three p atomic orbitals, can then describe by four new wave functions (equations 1 – 4)

ψ(sp³) = 0.5 ( ψ_2s + ψ_2px + ψ_2py + ψ_2pz) (1)

ψ(sp³) = 0.5 ( ψ_2s + ψ_2px – ψ_2py – ψ_2pz) (2)

ψ(sp³) = 0.5 ( ψ_2s – ψ_2px – ψ_2py + ψ_2pz) (3)

ψ(sp³) = 0.5 ( ψ_2s – ψ_2px + ψ_2py – ψ_2pz) (4)

Plotting any of these four wave functions gives a picture representation of a sp³ orbital. Each hybrid orbital consists of a large lobe and a small lobe, pointing in two opposite direction (figure 1).

The Bond Angle is 109.5^o:

When the graphs of the four wave functions are combined, the resulting picture shows the tetrahedral arrangement of the four sp³ hybrid orbitals around the central atom. Because of the tetrahedral molecular geometry, the calculate bond angles between 1 and 2, 1 and 3, 1 and 4, 2 and 3, 2 and 4, and 3 and 4 approximately equal 109.5^o (figure 2).

The Energy level and election population:

All four sp3 hybrid orbitals are delocalized—they occupy the same energy level; however, they are higher in energy than the 2s orbital and lower in energy than the 2p orbital (figure 3).

Just like any other atomic orbital, each sp3 hybrid orbital can house 2 elections.

S-character and the stability of the anion:

Each sp3 orbital has 1 part of s-character to 3 parts of p-character. In other words, it has 25% s-character and 75% p-character. Since the s orbital is closer to the nucleus and thus lower in energy than the p orbital, the electrons of sp³ hybridized species are held farther from the nucleus than those in sp² (33% s-character) and sp (50% s-character) hybridized species. The closer the electrons are to the nucleus, the more stable they are. Therefore, when bearing the negative charge, sp³ species are less stable than sp² and sp species. Put differently, sp³ species are less likely to get deprotonated (leaving a pair of electron behind).

Hybridization and bond length/bond strength:

The greater the s-character, the closer the electrons are held to the nucleus, the shorter the bond, and the stronger the bond. Thus, sp³ hybridized atoms form longer and weaker bonds than those of sp² and sp hybridized.