Multiple Choice
What is the molecular geometry of BF_3?
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12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Molecular Geometry
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What is the molecular geometry of SF_4?
A
See-saw
B
Square planar
C
Trigonal bipyramidal
D
Tetrahedral
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the central atom and count the total number of valence electrons. Sulfur (S) is the central atom, and fluorine (F) atoms are bonded to it. Sulfur has 6 valence electrons, and each fluorine has 7 valence electrons.
Determine the total number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom. SF_4 has 4 bonding pairs (one for each S-F bond) and 1 lone pair on sulfur, making a total of 5 regions of electron density.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the electron pair geometry. With 5 regions of electron density, the electron pair geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.
Account for the lone pair's effect on the molecular shape. Lone pairs occupy equatorial positions to minimize repulsion, which distorts the shape from trigonal bipyramidal to see-saw molecular geometry.
Conclude that the molecular geometry of SF_4 is see-saw, due to the presence of one lone pair and four bonding pairs arranged around the sulfur atom.
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