In BrF3 molecule, the lone pairs occupy equatorial positions to minimi...
In BrF3, both bond pairs as well as lone pairs of electrons are present. Due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons (lp) in the valence shell, the bond angle is contracted and the molecule takes the T-shape. This is due to greater repulsion between two lone pairs or between a lone pair and a bond pair than between the two bond pairs.
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In BrF3 molecule, the lone pairs occupy equatorial positions to minimi...
Explanation:
The BrF3 molecule has a trigonal bipyramidal shape with three equatorial fluorine atoms and two axial fluorine atoms. The two lone pairs of electrons on the central Br atom occupy the two axial positions, while the three bond pairs occupy the three equatorial positions. This arrangement is preferred to minimize the repulsion between the lone pairs and the bond pairs, as well as between the lone pairs themselves.
Lone pair - lone pair repulsion:
The lone pairs of electrons on the central Br atom experience repulsion from each other. This is because the electrons in the lone pairs are negatively charged and they repel each other due to their like charges. This repulsion is greater than the repulsion between the lone pairs and the bond pairs. Therefore, the two lone pairs occupy the two axial positions to minimize their repulsion with each other.
Lone pair - bond pair repulsion:
The lone pairs of electrons on the central Br atom also experience repulsion from the bond pairs of electrons. This is because the electrons in the bond pairs are also negatively charged and they repel the electrons in the lone pairs. The repulsion between the lone pairs and the bond pairs is less than the repulsion between the lone pairs themselves. Therefore, the three bond pairs occupy the three equatorial positions to minimize their repulsion with the lone pairs.
Lone pair - lone pair repulsion and lone pair - bond pair repulsion:
The BrF3 molecule has both lone pairs and bond pairs of electrons. The repulsion between the lone pairs and the bond pairs, as well as between the lone pairs themselves, must be minimized to achieve the most stable arrangement. Therefore, the two lone pairs occupy the two axial positions, and the three bond pairs occupy the three equatorial positions. This arrangement minimizes both the lone pair - bond pair repulsion and the lone pair - lone pair repulsion, making the BrF3 molecule more stable.
In BrF3 molecule, the lone pairs occupy equatorial positions to minimi...
In BrF3, both bond pairs as well as lone pairs of electrons are present. Due to the presence of lone pairs of electrons (lp) in the valence shell, the bond angle is contracted and the molecule takes the T-shape. This is due to greater repulsion between two lone pairs or between a lone pair and a bond pair than between the two bond pairs.