The shape of XeF4 is square-planar. — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Analyze the chlorobenzene structures shown in the diagram: (a) 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, (b) 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, (c) 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, and (d) 1,4-dichlorobenzene. Step 2: 1,4-dichlorobenzene (d) and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene (c) are highly symmetrical, resulting in a net dipole moment of zero because their C-Cl dipoles completely cancel out. Step 3: Comparing the remaining polar isomers, the C-Cl dipoles in 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene (b) all point in a similar direction (maximum reinforcement), yielding a larger net dipole moment than 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (a). Thus, option (b) is correct.