153k views
0 votes
What is the geometry of the SF₄⁺ molecule?

1) tetrahedral
2) trigonal bipyramidal
3) octahedral
4) linear

User Joyson
by
7.4k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The SF₄ molecule has a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of electron density, but the presence of one lone pair makes the molecular geometry seesaw-shaped.

Step-by-step explanation:

The geometry of the SF₄⁺ molecule is already described as having a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of the five regions of electron density. However, considering SF₄⁺ would imply the presence of a positive charge, this seems to be a typo, as SF₄ is neutral. Assuming the question is indeed about SF₄, it is important to note that one of those regions is a lone pair, leaving four bonding regions that form a seesaw-shaped molecular structure. This molecular geometry arises because lone pairs of electrons repel more strongly than bonding pairs, and placing the lone pair ian equatorial position minimizes repulsions in the trigonal bipyramidal electron group geometry, resulting in a seesaw shape for the molecular geometry.

User Tom Faltesek
by
8.4k points