Q47 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (27 Apr Shift 2) · Chemistry

Which from following molecules is square pyramidal?

  • Correct answer
    A
    $\mathrm{XeF}_4$
  • B
    $\mathrm{XeF}_6$
  • C
    $\mathrm{XeOF}_4$
  • D
    $\mathrm{XeO}_3$

Solution

Molecular geometry determination using VSEPR theory:

For $\mathrm{XeF}_4$, xenon has four bonding pairs and two lone pairs, giving octahedral electron geometry and square planar molecular geometry.

For $\mathrm{XeF}_6$, xenon has six bonding pairs and one lone pair, resulting in pentagonal bipyramidal electron geometry and distorted octahedral molecular geometry.

For $\mathrm{XeOF}_4$, xenon has five bonding domains (four single bonds to fluorine and one double bond to oxygen) and one lone pair, yielding octahedral electron geometry and square pyramidal molecular geometry.

For $\mathrm{XeO}_3$, xenon has three bonding domains (double bonds to oxygen) and one lone pair, giving tetrahedral electron geometry and trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry.

The molecule with square pyramidal geometry is $\mathrm{XeOF}_4$.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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