QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
"Determine the molecular geometry for SF₄.
A. Square pyramidal
B. Trigonal bipyramidal
C. Seesaw
D. Square planar
E. T-shape"
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Answer
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Step 1:: Determine the number of electron groups around the central atom (Sulfur).
The Lewis structure of SF₄ shows that Sulfur has 6 valence electrons and each Fluorine atom contributes 7 valence electrons, making a total of 4 x 7 + 6 = 34 valence electrons. Since Sulfur is the central atom, it forms 4 single bonds with Fluorine atoms, and these 4 electron groups are distributed around the central atom.
Step 2:: Determine the molecular geometry using the electron group arrangement.
For a central atom with 4 electron groups, the possible molecular geometries are: - Square planar (if all 4 electron groups are in a single plane) - Tetrahedral (if all 4 electron groups are equivalent) - Seesaw (if there are 3 equivalent electron groups and one different) - Trigonal bipyramidal (if there are 3 electron groups in one plane and 2 in another) - Square pyramidal (if there are 4 electron groups in one plane and one above or below)
Step 3:: Identify the electron group arrangement for SF₄.
In SF₄, there are 4 electron groups around the central Sulfur atom, and one of these groups is a lone pair. Since lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, the arrangement of these electron groups is not planar, and the molecule cannot be square planar.
Step 4:: Compare the remaining possible molecular geometries.
The remaining possible molecular geometries are Tetrahedral, Seesaw, Trigonal bipyramidal, and Square pyramidal. Since there is a lone pair, the Tetrahedral geometry is not possible, as it requires all electron groups to be equivalent.
Step 5:: Exclude the Seesaw geometry.
The Seesaw geometry has 3 equivalent electron groups and one different, which is not the case for SF₄. Therefore, we can exclude the Seesaw geometry.
Step 6:: Compare the Trigonal bipyramidal and Square pyramidal geometries.
The Trigonal bipyramidal geometry has 3 electron groups in one plane and 2 in another, while the Square pyramidal geometry has 4 electron groups in one plane and one above or below. Since SF₄ has a lone pair, the molecule adopts the Square pyramidal geometry to minimize repulsion between the lone pair and bonding pairs.
Final Answer
The molecular geometry for SF₄ is Square pyramidal (B).
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