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Which species has a shape that is influenced by the presence of one or more lone pairs of electrons around the central atom? A AlCl₃ B ClF₃ C IF₅ D PCl₄⁻ - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 30 - 2018 - Paper 3
Question 30
Which species has a shape that is influenced by the presence of one or more lone pairs of electrons around the central atom? A AlCl₃ B ClF₃ C IF₅ D PCl₄⁻
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which species has a shape that is influenced by the presence of one or more lone pairs of electrons around the central atom? A AlCl₃ B ClF₃ C IF₅ D PCl₄⁻ - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 30 - 2018 - Paper 3
Step 1
B ClF₃
Answer
The species that has a shape influenced by the presence of one or more lone pairs of electrons around the central atom is ClF₃.
Explanation:
ClF₃ (Chlorine Trifluoride) has two lone pairs on the chlorine atom, which affects its molecular geometry.
Geometry:
With five pairs of electrons (three bonding pairs and two lone pairs), the molecular geometry is described as T-shaped due to the repulsion between the lone pairs and bonding pairs. This contrasts with species like AlCl₃, IF₅, and PCl₄⁻, which do not have the same lone pair influence on their shapes.