NEET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

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 lone pairs on the Cl atom. Answer: It has T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.