Which of the following species contains exactly three bond pairs and two lone pairs around the centr — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In $ClF_3$, Chlorine has 7 valence electrons. It forms 3 $\sigma$ bonds with 3 Fluorine atoms, leaving 4 electrons (2 lone pairs). Steric number = $3 + 2 = 5$ ($sp^3d$). Placing the 2 lone pairs in the equatorial positions minimizes $lp-lp$ repulsion, resulting in a T-shaped geometry.