What is the calculated Steric Number (S.N.) of the central Xenon atom in the square pyramidal molecu — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Xenon possesses 8 valence electrons. In $XeOF_4$, it forms a double bond with oxygen (using 2 electrons) and 4 single bonds with fluorine (using 4 electrons). The remaining 2 electrons form exactly 1 lone pair. The Steric Number = (Number of $\sigma$ bonds) + (Number of lone pairs) = $5 + 1 = 6$, denoting $sp^3d^2$ hybridization.