I have seen that lone pairs are almost invariably counted for determining the hybridisation of an atom.
My question is why can't they remain in unhybridised orbitals.
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2$\begingroup$ Possible duplicate of Why does ammonia have sp hybridization?. Though it is not an exact duplicate, that would be the answer to your question in any other case. $\endgroup$– ringoMar 7, 2016 at 3:27
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2$\begingroup$ @ringo Related yes, duplicate no. Also I find the answers given there highly unsatisfactory. $\endgroup$– Martin - マーチン ♦Mar 7, 2016 at 7:41
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1$\begingroup$ There are many examples of lone pairs in orbitals that are unhybridized. See this earlier answer for several examples. Another example, phosphine is discussed here. $\endgroup$– ronMar 7, 2016 at 16:00
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