Question

What are the differences between the shape and structure of${\mathrm{XeF}}_4$?

Answer 1

Difference between the shape and structure of${\mathrm{XeF}}_4$:

• The shape of ​${\mathrm{XeF}}_4$ is given as a square planar.
• The central $\mathrm{Xe}$ atom consists of $4$ bond pairs of electrons and two lone pairs of electrons.
• The compound undergoes ${\mathrm{sp}}^3{\mathrm{d}}^2$hybridization which results in octahedral electron geometry along with square planar molecular geometry.
• The two lone pairs are situated at opposite corners of an octahedron, which helps in minimizing the repulsion between them.
• The structure of ${\mathrm{XeF}}_4$is also square planar, which can be given as:

Hence, as both the word shape and structure are used synonymously, hence there is no difference in the shape and structure of${\mathrm{XeF}}_4$, as both are represented as square planar.