Chapter 2, Problem 2E.8E

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The shape of ${\text{XeF}}_{\text{4}}$ molecule has to be predicted.

Concept Introduction:

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion model predicts shape by inclusion of bond angles and most distant arrangement of atoms that leads to minimum repulsion. For the molecules that have no lone pairs around the central atom the bonded-atom unshared -pair arrangement is decided by the table as follows:

$\begin{array}{cc}\begin{array}{l}\text{Number of}\\ \text{electron pairs}\end{array}& \text{Molecular shape}\\ 2& \text{Linear}\\ 3& \text{Trigonal Planar}\\ 4& \text{Tetrahedral}\\ 5& \text{Trigonal Bipyramidal}\\ 6& \text{Octahedral}\\ 7& \text{Pentagonal Bipyramidal}\end{array}$

In order to determine the shape the steps to be followed are indicated as follows:

1. 1. Lewis structure of molecule should be written.
2. 2. The type electron arrangement around the central atom should be identified around the central atom. This essentially refers to determination of bond pairs and unshared or lone pairs around central atoms.
3. 3. Then bonded-atom unshared -pair arrangement that can maximize the distance of electron pairs about central atom determines the shape.

For molecules that have lone pairs around central atom, lone pairs influence shape, because there are no atoms at the positions occupied by these lone pairs. The key rule that governs the molecular shape, in this case, is the extent of lone –lone pair repulsions are far greater than lone bond pair or bond pair-bond pair repulsions. The table that summarized the molecular shapes possible for various combinations of bonded and lone pairs are given as follows:

$\begin{array}{cccc}\text{Steric number}& \text{Number of lone pairs}& \text{Molecular geometry}& \text{Bond angles}\\ 2& 0& \text{Linear}& 180°\\ 3& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Trigonal planar}\\ \text{Bent}\end{array}& 120°\\ 4& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Tetrahedral}\\ \text{Trigonal pyramidal}\\ \text{Bent}\end{array}& 109.5°\\ 5& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\\ 3\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Trigonal Bi-pyramidal}\\ \text{See-Saw}\\ \text{T-shaped}\\ \text{Linear}\end{array}& 90°\text{,120 }°,180°\\ 6& \begin{array}{c}0\\ 1\\ 2\end{array}& \begin{array}{c}\text{Octahedral}\\ \text{Square pyramidal}\\ \text{Square planar}\end{array}& 90°\text{,}180°\end{array}$

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The expected $\text{F}-\text{Xe}-\text{F}$ bond angle of ${\text{XeF}}_{\text{4}}$ molecule has to be predicted.

Concept Introduction:

Refer to part (a).