Question

Molecules with trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometries can have a maximum of __ non-bonding domains.

A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3

Answer 1

In a trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometry, the maximum number of non-bonding domains (lone pairs) is two.

Step-by-step explanation:

Molecules with trigonal bipyramidal electronic geometries can have a maximum of two non-bonding domains. This is due to the arrangement of five electron groups around the central atom, where we can have a combination of bonding pairs (which can be atoms or shared electron pairs) and lone pairs (which are non-bonding domains or unshared electron pairs).

In a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement, when we have three lone pairs, these occupy the equatorial positions to minimize repulsion, and the two bonding pairs occupy the axial positions. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 2.