p Block ElementshardNUMERICAL

How many lone pairs of electrons are present on the central Xenon atom in the square planar moleculep Block Elements Chemistry Question

Question

How many lone pairs of electrons are present on the central Xenon atom in the square planar $XeF_4$ molecule?

Answer: 2

💡 Solution & Explanation

Xenon has 8 valence electrons. It forms 4 single bonds with 4 fluorine atoms (using 4 electrons). The remaining 4 electrons form 2 lone pairs. The 6 electron domains result in $sp^3d^2$ hybridization, with the 2 lone pairs occupying axial positions to minimize repulsion, giving a square planar shape.

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