NEETChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
In which of the following sets do all the species feature a central atom with exactly 10 electrons in its valence shell?
Options
- APCl ₅ , SF ₄ , ClF ₃
- BSF ₆ , IF ₅ , XeF ₄
- CPCl ₃ , SCl ₂ , ClF
- DBF ₃ , AlCl ₃ , BeCl ₂
Correct answer
A. PCl ₅ , SF ₄ , ClF ₃
Step-by-step solution
To find the number of electrons in the valence shell of the central atom, we count the electrons in bond pairs (BP) and lone pairs (LP). Each pair contributes 2 electrons. In PCl ₅ , phosphorus has 5 BP and 0 LP. Total electrons = 5 2 = 10 . In SF ₄ , sulphur has 4 BP and 1 LP. Total electrons = (4 2) + (1 2) = 10 . In ClF ₃ , chlorine has 3 BP and 2 LP. Total electrons = (3 2) + (2 2) = 10 . Thus, all species in the first set have exactly 10 electrons around the central atom. For the other options: SF ₆ , IF ₅ , a