JEE Advanced · 2016 · 22 May 2016 · Paper 1 · Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

The compound(s) with TWO lone pairs of electrons on the central atom is(are)

Answer: (B), (C)

Solution

Using VSEPR theory:

BrF_{5}

has 7 valence electrons on Br, with 5 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair (square pyramidal).

ClF_{3}

has 7 valence electrons on Cl, with 3 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs (T-shaped).

XeF_{4}

has 8 valence electrons on Xe, with 4 bonding pairs and 2 lone pairs (square planar).

SF_{4}

has 6 valence electrons on S, with 4 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair (see-saw). Thus, (B) and (C) have two lone pairs.

JEE Advanced · 2016 · 22 May 2016 · Paper 1 · One or more correct options