JEE MainChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
In the most stable structure of ClF ₃ , the lone pairs of electrons on the central atom are located in:
Options
- AEquatorial positions and there are four lone pair - bond pair repulsions at 90^ .
- BAxial positions and there are six lone pair - bond pair repulsions at 90^ .
- CEquatorial positions and there are two lone pair - bond pair repulsions at 90^ .
- DOne axial and one equatorial position and there are three lone pair - bond pair repulsions at 90^ .
Correct answer
A. Equatorial positions and there are four lone pair - bond pair repulsions at 90^ .
Step-by-step solution
In ClF ₃ , the central chlorine atom has 7 valence electrons. It forms 3 single bonds with fluorine atoms and has 2 lone pairs of electrons. The steric number is 3 + 2 = 5 , corresponding to sp^3d hybridization and a trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry. According to VSEPR theory, lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions to minimize repulsions. The two lone pairs will both be in equatorial positions. Each equatorial lone pair is at an angle of 90^ with respect to the two axial bonds. Therefore, each lone pair h