Chapter 8, Problem 8.17P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The shapes of the interhalogen molecules have to be predicted.

Concept Introduction:

VSEPR theory:

The key postulate of the theory is that the shape of a molecule is determined by minimizing the mutual repulsion of the electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom.

Let A represent a central atom, X represent a bonded atom to the central atom and E represent the lone pair of electrons on the central atom.  Then, the center atom in a molecule can be classified as ${\text{AX}}_{\text{m}}{\text{E}}_{\text{n}}$.

The steric number is a sum of the number of ligands and lone pairs surrounding the central atom.

  $\text{steric}\text{number}\text{=(m+n)}$

where m is the number of ligands and n is the number of lone pairs