Question

What is the geometry of the molecule of bromine pentafluoride?
A.Square planar
B.Trigonal bipyramidal
C.Square pyramidal
D.Octahedral

Answer 1

Hint: To be able to predict the shape of molecules, it is important to learn about the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory, known as the VSEPR Theory. This theory provides a simple procedure to predict the shape of the molecule. The VSEPR theory predicts how electron pairs will be organized around the core atoms of molecules, particularly simple and symmetrical structures.

Complete answer:
The following are the major tenets of the VSEPR theory:
The form of a molecule is determined by the number of valence shell electron pairs surrounding the center atom.
As their electron clouds are negatively charged, valence electron pairs repel one another. (iii) These electron pairs prefer to be in locations where they have the least amount of repulsion, which allows them to have the greatest possible distance between them.
The valence shell is modeled as a sphere, with electron pairs located on its surface at a maximum distance from one another.
One electron pair is assigned to multiple bonds, while the other two or three are considered as a single super pair.
When two or more resonance structures may represent a molecule, the VSEPR model can be applied to any of those structures.
When using the VSEPR theory to forecast the geometrical forms of molecules, it's helpful to categorize them into two groups: I molecules without a central lone pair, and (ii) molecules having a central lone pair and/or more.
Bromine pentafluoride, $$Br{F}_5$$, is an interhalogen chemical as well as a bromine fluoride. $$Br{F}_5$$, also known as bromine pentafluoride, is a polar compound. $$Br{F}_5$$has a square pyramidal molecular shape with an asymmetric charge distribution. There are five fluorides surrounding the central bromine atom in the molecule, with just one pair of electrons. Thus, it has a square pyramidal geometry.

Fig: Square pyramidal geometry of Bromine pentafluoride.

Hence, the correct option is option (C).

Note:
The VSEPR theory plays an important role in the prediction of the geometry of a large number of molecules, especially the compounds of p-block elements accurately. In addition, lone pairs of electrons take up more room than bonded pairs of electrons. A significant number of molecules' shapes may be predicted simply by adding up the number of lone pairs and bond pairs in each molecule, then utilizing the tables above to compare the results.