The shape of XeF3^+ is : — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Calculate the steric number of the central Xenon in XeF3^+: Xenon has 8 valence electrons, minus 1 for the positive charge = 7. Step 2: Three electrons form bonds with Fluorine, leaving 4 non-bonding electrons (2 lone pairs). Steric number = 3 bond pairs + 2 lone pairs = 5. Step 3: For a steric number of 5 with 2 lone pairs, the lone pairs occupy equatorial positions, resulting in a T-shaped (Bent T-shape) geometry.