Question

What are the bond angles in the central atom of the following: $\mathrm{NSF}$, ${\mathrm{OF}}_2$, and ${\mathrm{IBr}}_2^{-}$

Answer 1

${\mathrm{IBr}}_2^{-}$:

• Because it is a ${\mathrm{AX}}_2{\mathrm{E}}_3$structure, the electron geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.
• The lone pairs are in equatorial positions, while the $\mathrm{Br}$ atoms are in axial positions.
• The bond angle is $180°$.

$\mathrm{NSF}$:

• The theoretical bond angle is $120°$ but due to lone pair repulsion, the bond angle gets reduced to $117°$.
• It has a trigonal planar geometry and the molecular shape is bent.
• The structure of $\mathrm{NSF}$ molecule is given below:

${\mathrm{OF}}_2$:

• The molecule ${\mathrm{OF}}_2$ contains one atom of Oxygen and two atoms of Fluorine.
• The bond angle $109°27\prime$.
• The molecule has a bent shape.