QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
The electron domain and molecular geometry of BrO^2 - is _________. A) trigonal planar, trigonal planar B) tetrahedral, trigonal planar C) trigonal pyramidal, linear D) tetrahedral, bent E) trigonal pyramidal
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Answer
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Step 1:: Determine the electron geometry using the number of electron groups around the central atom.
The central atom in BrO$_2^-$ is Bromine (Br).
There are 6 valence electrons from Bromine, 2 from each Oxygen atom, and 1 extra electron from the negative charge, making a total of 9 electron groups. The electron geometry for 9 electron groups is octahedral.
Step 2:: Analyze the molecular geometry based on the electron geometry and the presence of lone pairs.
Since there are only 2 atoms bonded to the central Bromine atom, the molecular geometry is determined by the arrangement of these two atoms and the lone pairs. In an octahedral electron geometry, if there are only two electron groups, they will be arranged in a linear fashion.
Step 3:: Identify the presence of any lone pairs on the central atom.
In this case, there is 1 lone pair on the central Bromine atom. This lone pair will occupy one position in the octahedral geometry, causing the other two positions to be taken by the two Bromine-Oxygen bonds.
Step 4:: Compare the molecular geometry to the given options.
The molecular geometry for BrO$_2^-$ is linear, with a lone pair and two Bromine-Oxygen bonds.
The closest option is C) trigonal pyramidal, linear. However, this answer is not correct because trigonal pyramidal implies the presence of three electron groups, not two. The correct answer is D) tetrahedral, bent. Although the question mentions "tetrahedral" in the answer choices, it is not an accurate description of the molecular geometry in this case. Nonetheless, option D is the closest match since it correctly implies the presence of four electron groups, with a bent molecular geometry.
Final Answer
The electron domain and molecular geometry of BrO$_2^-$ is best described as tetrahedral, bent (option D).
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