NEET2026ChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureActual
Identify the correct statement about ClF ₃ from the following options :
Options
- AIt has T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
- BIt has T-shaped geometry with three lone pairs on Cl atom.
- CIt has a trigonal pyramidal geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
- DIt has a planar trigonal geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
Correct answer
A. It has T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
Step-by-step solution
The central atom in ClF ₃ is Chlorine (Cl). Number of valence electrons of Cl = 7 . Number of monovalent atoms (F) attached = 3 . Steric number = 1 2 (7 + 3) = 5 . The hybridization of the central atom is sp^3d . Number of bond pairs = 3 . Number of lone pairs = 5 - 3 = 2 . The electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal. According to VSEPR theory, to minimize repulsion, the two lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions. This results in a T-shaped molecular geometry. Therefore, ClF ₃ has a T-shaped geometry with two