Which of the following correctly describes the electron pair geometry and molecular geometry of SF6?

• A. Electron pair geometry: trigonal bipyramidal; Molecular geometry: trigonal bipyramidal
• B. Electron pair geometry: octahedral; Molecular geometry: square pyramidal
• C. Electron pair geometry: tetrahedral; Molecular geometry: square planar
• D. Electron pair geometry: octahedral; Molecular geometry: octahedral

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the central atom and count the total number of electron pairs (bonding and lone pairs) around it. For SF6, sulfur is the central atom bonded to six fluorine atoms, and there are no lone pairs on sulfur.
2. Determine the electron pair geometry by considering all electron pairs around the central atom. Since there are six bonding pairs and no lone pairs, the electron pair geometry corresponds to an arrangement that minimizes repulsion among six pairs, which is octahedral.
3. Determine the molecular geometry by considering only the positions of the atoms (bonding pairs) and ignoring lone pairs. Since there are no lone pairs on sulfur, the molecular geometry is the same as the electron pair geometry, which is octahedral.
4. Recall the shapes associated with different numbers of electron pairs: 4 pairs correspond to tetrahedral, 5 pairs to trigonal bipyramidal, and 6 pairs to octahedral. This confirms the geometry for SF6.
5. Conclude that both the electron pair geometry and molecular geometry of SF6 are octahedral, matching the correct answer choice.