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NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

A covalent molecule with the general formula AX ₃ is observed to have a T-shaped geometry. What are the number of lone pairs of electrons on the central atom A and its hybridization state, respectively?

Options

  1. A0, sp^2
  2. B2, sp^3d
  3. C1, sp^3
  4. D2, sp^3d^2

Correct answer

B. 2, sp^3d

Step-by-step solution

According to VSEPR theory, a molecule with the general formula AX ₃ having a T-shaped geometry must have 3 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs of electrons on the central atom. The total number of electron domains (steric number) is 3 + 2 = 5 . A steric number of 5 corresponds to sp^3d hybridization. The 5 electron pairs arrange themselves in a trigonal bipyramidal geometry, where the 2 lone pairs occupy equatorial positions to minimize repulsion, resulting in a T-shaped molecular geometry. Answer: 2, sp^3d

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