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NEET · Chemistry · STD 11 - 4. Chemical bonding and molecular structure

Identify the correct statement about \(ClF _3\) from the following options:

  1. A It has T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
  2. B It has T-shaped geometry with three lone pairs on Cl atom.
  3. C It has a trigonal pyramidal geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
  4. D It has a planar trigonal geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.
Verified Solution

Answer & Solution

Correct Answer

(A) It has T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on Cl atom.

Step-by-step Solution

Detailed explanation

(A) The central atom in \(ClF _3\)  is Chlorine \(( Cl )\).
Number of valence electrons of \(Cl =7\).
Number of monovalent atoms (F) attached \(=3\).
Steric number \(=\frac{1}{2}(7+3)=5\).
The hybridization of the central atom is \(s p^3 d\).
Number of bond pairs \(=3\).
Number of lone pairs \(=5-3=2\).
The electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal. According to VSEPR theory, to minimize repulsion, the two lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions.
This results in a T-shaped molecular geometry.
Therefore, \(ClF _3\) has a T-shaped geometry with two lone pairs on the Cl atom.