Question

Which of the following molecules is theoretically not possible?
A. $S{F_4}$
B. $O{F_4}$
C. $O{F_2}$
D. ${O_2}{F_2}$

Answer 1

Hint: The possibility of a specific molecule is determined by how stable it is in relation to the structure achieving the stable octet configuration. Different geometries of the elements are possible under the given conditions, but stability depends on bond formation and the electrons engaged in bond formation to achieve the stable state.

Complete Step by Step Solution:
Here, two non-metals are used to create each of the listed compounds. Because the valence shell of non-metals has fewer electrons than the octet configuration, the bond formation between them has a particular characteristic of generating covalent structures. As a result, the mechanism by which bonds are formed involves sharing electrons.

Since fluorine has seven valence electrons and sulphur has four, the first chemical, $S{F_4}$, is theoretically conceivable. Since these two elements share electrons, this is true.
Since each $O$ atom has $6$ valence electrons and each F atom has $7$ valence electrons, the second compound, $O{F_2}$, is also theoretically conceivable. As a result, the two fluorine atoms and oxygen can create the provided molecule by sharing electrons to establish two covalent bonds.

${O_2}{F_2}$, the fourth compound, can be created using the particular atoms since they can work together to form a covalently bonded structure. This achieves the stable octet form for all the atoms in the provided molecule and delivers a stable compound structure for the molecule.

However, technically, the compound $O{F_4}$ cannot be created since the oxygen atom has six valence electrons, which means that if four fluorine atoms are linked together, the octet configuration will be lost and no stable compound will result.
Hence the correct answer is option B.

Note: The compounds must be stable in order to exist in nature, and this can only be done if the arrangement of electrons used to create the molecule provides the stability. Because each atom's stability is crucial following the creation of bonds, the elements that contribute to the synthesis of a compound play a significant role in this process.