Hybridization of carbon atoms attached with halogens in haloalkanes & haloarenes are
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → \(sp^3\) & \(sp^2\) hybridized respectively
The hybridisation of a carbon atom depends on the bonds it forms. A carbon with four single bonds is sp3 hybridised (tetrahedral); a carbon in a double bond or in a benzene ring is sp2 hybridised (trigonal planar).
In a haloalkane the halogen is attached to a carbon of an alkyl group, which forms four single bonds, as in \( \ce{CH3-CH2-Cl} \). That carbon is sp3 hybridised.
In a haloarene the halogen is attached to a carbon of the benzene ring, as in \( \ce{C6H5-Cl} \). Every ring carbon is sp2 hybridised.
So the carbon atoms carrying the halogen are sp3 and sp2 hybridised, respectively. The larger s-character of the sp2 carbon makes the C–X bond of a haloarene shorter and stronger than that of a haloalkane.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) \(sp^2\) & \(sp^2\) hybridized respectively — Incorrect. An sp2 carbon carrying a halogen is found in vinyl and aryl halides, not in haloalkanes.
Option (3) \(sp^3\) & \(sp^3\) hybridized respectively — Incorrect. The ring carbon of a haloarene is part of the benzene ring and is sp2, not sp3.
Option (4) \(sp^2\) & \(sp^3\) hybridized respectively — Incorrect. This reverses the two; the alkyl carbon is sp3 and the ring carbon sp2.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Nucleophilic Substitution – …
