Large variations in the ratios between the p and s components
of
individual hybrid orbitals that have been observed in contemporary
ab initio VB calculations are reassessed, and links are established
to specific energy terms that drive bond formation. It is demonstrated
that the ratios between the p and s components for individual hybrid
orbitals are not indicative of the overall hybridization status of
the relevant atom, which exhibits only relatively small variations
with the level of theory, irrespective of whether or not non-dynamical
and dynamical electron correlation effects are accounted for. An alternative
orbital representation that turns out to be far more consistent with
the overall hybridization of the relevant atom is examined. The chosen
test cases, which can be compared with the classical sp3, sp2, and sp hybridization models for a central carbon
atom, are CH4(Td), trigonal
CH3(D3h), and triplet CH2distorted from its ground state geometry so as to be linear
(D∞h).