Radical in determining hybridization

[urbanthread]

So in chem destroyer, #278 it says that ONO bond angle is over 120 degrees (but not 180) because N has a radical. Is N still considered sp2?? But in one of the Ochem Bootcamp tests, it says that an unpaired radical electron will not be counted in determining hybridization.. (so a CH3 with a radical would be sp2)

Thanks!!

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[urbanthread]

And another question.. how does shielding effect increase as you go down the column?

 

[shrister]

Radicals DO NOT count towards hybridization. However, I think the presence of the electron still affects the shape so that's why it's 120 degrees. Not sure about the second part but forsure radicals don't count towards hybridization.

Also, as you go down a group, shielding effect increases because the number of valence electrons stays the same while the number of shielding electrons increases. More shielding electrons means valence electron has less pull towards nucleus so atom is effectively bigger.

 

[urbanthread]

Thank you!!!