Question

The shape of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$ molecule is:

Answer 1

Step 1: Hybridization:

• “Hybridization is defined as the process of intermixing of the orbitals of slightly different energies so as to redistribute their energies, resulting in the formation of a new set of orbitals of equivalent energies and shape.”

Step 2: Formula used for calculation:

• $\mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=\frac{1}{2}\left(\mathrm{V}+\mathrm{M}-\mathrm{C}+\mathrm{A}\right)$
• Where V is the number of valence electrons, M is the monovalent electron, C is the positive charge and A represents the negative charge.

Step 3: Calculation for Hybridisation and shape of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$:

• The total number of valence electrons of Xenon in ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$ is 8 and there are 2 monovalent atoms.
• $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=\frac{1}{2}\left(8+2\right) \\ \mathrm{Steric}\mathrm{number}=\frac{1}{2}\times 10=5 \end{gathered}$$
• The steric number is 5, thus the hybridization of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$ is ${\mathrm{sp}}^3\mathrm{d}$.
• As per VSEPR, the geometry of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$ is trigonal bipyramidal and the shape is a see-saw.