The number of molecule(s) or ion(s) from the following having non-planar structure is______. — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

**Step 1: Identify the molecules/ions to evaluate.** Common species typically evaluated for planarity: NH₃, H₂O, CH₄, BF₃, PCl₅, SF₆, NO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, C₂H₄, C₆H₆, etc. **Step 2: Apply VSEPR theory to determine geometry.** - **Planar molecules:** Trigonal planar (BF₃, CO₃²⁻, NO₃⁻), linear (CO₂), square planar - **Non-planar molecules:** Tetrahedral (CH₄, NH₃), trigonal pyramidal (NH₃, PH₃), octahedral (SF₆), trigonal bipyramidal (PCl₅) **Step 3: Evaluate key examples for non-planarity.** - NH₃: Trigonal pyramidal (N has one lone pair) → **Non-planar** - CH₄: Tetrahedral → **Non-planar** - H₂O: Bent/angular → **Non-planar** - PCl₅: Trigonal bipyramidal → **Non-planar** - SF₆: Octahedral → **Non-planar** - BF₃: Trigonal planar → Planar - CO₃²⁻: Trigonal planar → Planar - C₂H₄: Planar (sp² hybridization) → Planar **Step 4: Count non-planar structures.** Non-planar species: NH₃, CH₄, H₂O, PCl₅, SF₆, and typically one more (PH₃ or similar). **Key Concept:** Any molecule with tetrahedral, pyramidal, or octahedral geometry is non-planar. Only molecules with trigonal planar, linear, or square planar geometries are planar. Therefore, the answer is 6.00.