Final answer:
The central phosphorus atom in the PO2³- anion is surrounded by three regions of electron density—two double bonds and one lone pair—indicating that it exhibits sp² hybridization.The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hybridization of the central atom in the PO2³- anion can be determined by assessing the regions of electron density surrounding the phosphorus (P) atom. Phosphorus has five valence electrons and it gains an additional three electrons from the three negative charges, summing up to eight electrons. These eight electrons are involved in a double bond with each oxygen (accounting for four electrons) and two lone pairs on the phosphorus atom. Thus, the phosphorus atom in PO2³- is surrounded by three regions of electron density: two double bonds and one lone pair.
According to the principles of sp² hybridization, any central atom surrounded by three regions of electron density will exhibit sp² hybridization. This results in a set of three sp² hybrid orbitals and one unhybridized p orbital arranged in a trigonal planar geometry. Therefore, the hybridization of the central atom in PO2³- is sp² hybridization, which corresponds to option B.