Question

Explain hybridization of central atom in $Xe{F}_4$.

Answer 1

The central atom of $Xe$ has 8 valance orbitals out of which 4 electrons form single bonds with $4F$ atom and the rest are the lone pairs. As we know the hybridization is determined by the steric number which is equal to the number of lone pairs and the sigma bonds.The central atom of $Xe$ is having 4 sigma bonds and 2 lone pairs which implies the steric number of this molecule is equals to 6 and the geometry is octahedral and the shape is square planar.