Bromine trifluoride autoionizes to form BrF ₂^ and BrF ₄^ . The shapes of the cation and anion are respectively ________, and ________.

Step-by-step solution

The autoionization of bromine trifluoride is given by the reaction: 2 BrF ₃ BrF ₂^ + BrF ₄^ For the cation BrF ₂^ : The central atom Br has 7 valence electrons. Due to the positive charge, it has 7 - 1 = 6 electrons available. It forms 2 single bonds with F atoms, leaving 4 electrons, which constitute 2 lone pairs. Steric number = 2 (bond pairs) + 2 (lone pairs) = 4 . The hybridization is sp^3 . With 2 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs, the shape is bent (or V-shaped). For the anion BrF ₄^ : The central atom Br has 7 val