Among the following, the species having square planar geometry for ce...
Square Planar Structure: XeF4 and [PtCl4]2-
Among the following, the species having square planar geometry for ce...
Square planar geometry refers to the arrangement of atoms or groups of atoms around a central atom in a molecule, where the central atom is bonded to four other atoms or groups and the arrangement is like a square in a plane. Let's analyze each species given in the options to determine if they have square planar geometry.
(i) XeF4:
XeF4 is a molecule consisting of a central xenon atom bonded to four fluorine atoms. Xenon has 8 valence electrons and each fluorine contributes 7 valence electrons, giving a total of 36 valence electrons.
To determine the geometry, we use the VSEPR theory. In XeF4, the central xenon atom is surrounded by four electron pairs, which are arranged in a square planar geometry. The electron pairs include four bonding pairs and no lone pairs, resulting in a square planar shape.
(ii) SF4:
SF4 is a molecule consisting of a central sulfur atom bonded to four fluorine atoms. Sulfur has 6 valence electrons and each fluorine contributes 7 valence electrons, giving a total of 34 valence electrons.
Using the VSEPR theory, we can determine the geometry. In SF4, the central sulfur atom is surrounded by four electron pairs, which include four bonding pairs and one lone pair. The presence of a lone pair distorts the geometry from square planar to a seesaw shape.
(iii) [NiCl4]2–:
[NiCl4]2– is a complex ion consisting of a central nickel atom bonded to four chloride ions. Nickel has 10 valence electrons and each chloride ion contributes 1 valence electron, giving a total of 14 valence electrons.
The complex ion [NiCl4]2– has a tetrahedral geometry. It is not square planar because it has four ligands (chloride ions) and two lone pairs on the central nickel atom.
(iv) [PtCl4]2–:
[PtCl4]2– is a complex ion consisting of a central platinum atom bonded to four chloride ions. Platinum has 10 valence electrons and each chloride ion contributes 1 valence electron, giving a total of 14 valence electrons.
Similar to the previous complex ion, [PtCl4]2– also has a tetrahedral geometry. It is not square planar because it has four ligands (chloride ions) and two lone pairs on the central platinum atom.
From the analysis above, we can conclude that among the given species, only (i) XeF4 has a square planar geometry. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' (i) and (iv).
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