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NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Identify the correct statement regarding the molecular geometry and the number of lone pairs on the central atom of XeF ₄ .

Options

  1. AIt has a square planar geometry with two lone pairs on the Xe atom.
  2. BIt has a tetrahedral geometry with zero lone pairs on the Xe atom.
  3. CIt has a square pyramidal geometry with one lone pair on the Xe atom.
  4. DIt has a see-saw geometry with one lone pair on the Xe atom.

Correct answer

A. It has a square planar geometry with two lone pairs on the Xe atom.

Step-by-step solution

The central atom in XeF ₄ is Xenon (Xe). Number of valence electrons of Xe = 8 . Number of monovalent atoms (F) attached = 4 . Steric number = 1 2 (8 + 4) = 6 . The hybridization of the central atom is sp^3d^2 . Number of bond pairs = 4 . Number of lone pairs = 6 - 4 = 2 . The electron geometry is octahedral. According to VSEPR theory, to minimize lone pair-lone pair repulsion, the two lone pairs occupy opposite positions (trans to each other). This results in a square planar molecular geometry. Therefore, XeF ₄ ha

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