AIIMS2005ChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Assertion : SeCl ₄ does not have a tetrahedral structure. Reason : Se in SeCl ₄ has two lone pairs.
Options
- AIf both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
- BIf both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
- CIf assertion is true but reason is false
- DIf both assertion and reason are false.
Correct answer
C. If assertion is true but reason is false
Step-by-step solution
SeCl ₄ possess see saw geometry, which can be regarded as a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure, having one lone pair (lp) of electrons in the basal position of the trigonal bipyramidal. Seesaw geometry of SeCl ₄ molecules arises due to the s p^3 d hybridisation of the central atom. The distortion in shape is due to the presence of one lone pair of electrons.