Textbook Question
Consider the following XF4 ions: PF4-, BrF4-, ClF4+, and AlF4-. (a) Which of the ions have more than an octet of electrons around the central atom?
Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Introduction: Matter, Energy, and Measurement177
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules, and Ions231
- Ch.3 - Chemical Reactions and Reaction Stoichiometry216
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution189
- Ch.5 - Thermochemistry175
- Ch.6 - Electronic Structure of Atoms168
- Ch.7 - Periodic Properties of the Elements150
- Ch.8 - Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding177
- Ch.9 - Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories200
- Ch.10 - Gases179
- Ch.11 - Liquids and Intermolecular Forces113
- Ch.12 - Solids and Modern Materials154
- Ch.13 - Properties of Solutions157
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics199
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium128
- Ch.16 - Acid-Base Equilibria164
- Ch.17 - Additional Aspects of Aqueous Equilibria163
- Ch.18 - Chemistry of the Environment105
- Ch.19 - Chemical Thermodynamics164
- Ch.20 - Electrochemistry171
- Ch.21 - Nuclear Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - Chemistry of the Nonmetals82
- Ch.23 - Transition Metals and Coordination Chemistry79
- Ch.24 - The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry16
Brown14th EditionChemistry: The Central ScienceISBN: 9780134414232Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 9, Problem 87b
Consider the following XF4 ions: PF4-, BrF4-, ClF4+, and AlF4-. (b) For which of the ions will the electron-domain and molecular geometries be the same?
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Identify the central atom in each ion and determine the total number of valence electrons available for bonding. For example, phosphorus (P) in PF4- has 5 valence electrons, and the negative charge adds one more electron, totaling 6 valence electrons.
Determine the number of electron domains around the central atom. Each bond and lone pair counts as one domain. For instance, in PF4-, there are 4 bonds with fluorine atoms and no lone pairs, resulting in 4 electron domains.
Use the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory to predict the electron-domain geometry based on the number of electron domains. For 4 electron domains, the geometry is tetrahedral.
Determine the molecular geometry by considering only the positions of the atoms (ignoring lone pairs). If there are no lone pairs, the molecular geometry will be the same as the electron-domain geometry. For PF4-, with no lone pairs, the molecular geometry is also tetrahedral.
Repeat the process for each ion (BrF4-, ClF4+, and AlF4-) and compare the electron-domain and molecular geometries. Identify which ions have the same electron-domain and molecular geometries, indicating no lone pairs on the central atom.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electron-Domain Geometry
Electron-domain geometry refers to the spatial arrangement of all electron domains (bonding and non-bonding pairs) around a central atom. It is determined by the number of electron domains, which can include lone pairs, single bonds, double bonds, and triple bonds. The geometry is predicted using the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, which states that electron domains will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion.
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Electron Geometry
Molecular Geometry
Molecular geometry describes the three-dimensional arrangement of the atoms in a molecule, excluding lone pairs. It is derived from the electron-domain geometry but focuses solely on the positions of the nuclei of the atoms. The molecular geometry can differ from the electron-domain geometry when there are lone pairs present, which can alter the shape of the molecule.
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VSEPR Theory
VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory is a model used to predict the geometry of individual molecules based on the repulsion between electron pairs in the valence shell of the central atom. According to this theory, electron pairs will arrange themselves as far apart as possible to minimize repulsion, leading to specific molecular shapes. Understanding VSEPR is crucial for determining when electron-domain and molecular geometries will coincide, particularly in cases with no lone pairs.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
An AB2 molecule is described as having a tetrahedral geometry. (a) How many nonbonding domains are on atom A?
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Textbook Question
Consider the following XF4 ions: PF4-, BrF4-, ClF4+, and AlF4-. (c) Which of the ions will have an octahedral electron-domain geometry?
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Textbook Question
Consider the molecule PF4Cl. (c) Predict the molecular geometry of PF4Cl. How did your answer for part (b) influence your answer here in part (c)?
Textbook Question
An AB2 molecule is described as having a tetrahedral geometry. (b) Based on the information given, which of the following is the molecular geometry of the molecule: (i) linear, (ii) bent, (iii) trigonal planar, or (iv) tetrahedral?
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Textbook Question
Consider the molecule PF4Cl. (a) Draw a Lewis structure for the molecule, and predict its electron-domain geometry.