The number of species from the following list that possess at least one lone pair of electrons on the central atom AND have a zero dipole moment is XeF ₂, XeF ₄, XeO ₃, XeOF ₄, SF ₄, ICl ₄^-, PCl ₅, I ₃^-, ClF ₃

Step-by-step solution

To have a zero dipole moment, a molecule must have a highly symmetric geometry that cancels out individual bond dipoles. We first determine the steric number, lone pairs (lp), and geometry for each species. XeF ₂ : 8 valence electrons, 2 bonds 3 lp. Linear geometry. Symmetrical, zero dipole moment. (Matches criteria) XeF ₄ : 8 valence electrons, 4 bonds 2 lp. Square planar geometry. Symmetrical, zero dipole moment. (Matches criteria) XeO ₃ : 8 valence electrons, 3 O atoms (6 bonding electrons) 1 lp. Trigonal pyrami