The central iodine atom in iodine heptafluoride () undergoes hybridization. What is the resulting mo — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Iodine has 7 valence electrons and forms 7 bonds with F (0 lone pairs). Steric number = 7 ($sp^3d^3$). This perfectly symmetrical arrangement yields a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry with $72^\circ$ equatorial and $90^\circ$ axial angles.