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The structure of XeF6 is :
  • a)
    pentagonal bipyramidal
  • b)
    octahedral
  • c)
    capped octahedral
  • d)
    square pyramidal
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
The structure of XeF6 is :a)pentagonal bipyramidalb)octahedralc)capped...
The structure of XeF6 (Xenon hexafluoride) is distorted octahedral (option C) because of its molecular geometry and the number of electron pairs surrounding the central atom.
XeF6 is formed when xenon (Xe) reacts with fluorine (F) to form a compound with six covalent bonds between the central xenon atom and six fluorine atoms. Xenon has 8 valence electrons, and it uses 6 of these electrons to form bonds with the 6 fluorine atoms. The remaining 2 valence electrons form a lone pair.
In the case of XeF6, the central xenon atom is surrounded by six bonding pairs of electrons and one lone pair of electrons. According to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which results in a distorted octahedral molecular geometry.
In a capped octahedral structure, there are six fluorine atoms bonded to the central xenon atom. Five of these fluorine atoms are arranged in a square pyramid around the xenon atom, while the sixth fluorine atom is positioned above the central atom. The lone pair of electrons occupies the position opposite to the sixth fluorine atom, "distorting" the octahedral structure.
This unique molecular geometry of XeF6 distinguishes it from other geometries like pentagonal bipyramidal, octahedral, or square pyramidal.
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Most Upvoted Answer
The structure of XeF6 is :a)pentagonal bipyramidalb)octahedralc)capped...
The structure of XeF6 is distorted octahedral.

Explanation:

1. Central atom:
The central atom in XeF6 is Xenon (Xe).

2. Valence electrons:
Xenon has 8 valence electrons (group 8A), and each fluorine atom contributes 1 valence electron, resulting in a total of 54 valence electrons (8 from Xe and 6 from F).

3. Electron distribution:
In order to determine the structure of XeF6, we need to distribute the valence electrons around the central atom.
First, we place the six fluorine atoms around the central atom, Xe, in order to satisfy their octet rule. This accounts for 48 valence electrons (6 x 8).
Next, we place the remaining 6 valence electrons on the central atom.

4. VSEPR theory:
According to the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory, the electron pairs around the central atom will arrange themselves in a way that minimizes repulsion and maximizes the distance between them.

5. Electron geometry:
In XeF6, there are six bonding pairs and no lone pairs around the central atom. This results in an octahedral electron geometry, where the electron pairs are arranged in a symmetrical manner around the central atom.

6. Molecular geometry:
However, the presence of the lone pairs on the central atom causes a distortion in the electron geometry, leading to a different molecular geometry. In XeF6, the lone pairs on the central atom repel the bonding pairs, causing the fluorine atoms to be pushed closer together. This distortion results in a molecular geometry that is called distorted octahedral.

7. Distorted octahedral structure:
In a distorted octahedral structure, the six fluorine atoms are not evenly spaced around the central atom. Instead, the fluorine atoms are closer together, forming a more compressed arrangement compared to a regular octahedron.

Conclusion:
In summary, the structure of XeF6 is distorted octahedral due to the presence of lone pairs on the central atom, which cause a distortion in the electron geometry and result in a more compressed arrangement of the fluorine atoms around the central atom.
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Community Answer
The structure of XeF6 is :a)pentagonal bipyramidalb)octahedralc)capped...
The structure of XeF6 (Xenon hexafluoride) is distorted octahedral (option C) because of its molecular geometry and the number of electron pairs surrounding the central atom.
XeF6 is formed when xenon (Xe) reacts with fluorine (F) to form a compound with six covalent bonds between the central xenon atom and six fluorine atoms. Xenon has 8 valence electrons, and it uses 6 of these electrons to form bonds with the 6 fluorine atoms. The remaining 2 valence electrons form a lone pair.
In the case of XeF6, the central xenon atom is surrounded by six bonding pairs of electrons and one lone pair of electrons. According to VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory, the electron pairs will arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, which results in a distorted octahedral molecular geometry.
In a capped octahedral structure, there are six fluorine atoms bonded to the central xenon atom. Five of these fluorine atoms are arranged in a square pyramid around the xenon atom, while the sixth fluorine atom is positioned above the central atom. The lone pair of electrons occupies the position opposite to the sixth fluorine atom, "distorting" the octahedral structure.
This unique molecular geometry of XeF6 distinguishes it from other geometries like pentagonal bipyramidal, octahedral, or square pyramidal.
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The structure of XeF6 is :a)pentagonal bipyramidalb)octahedralc)capped octahedrald)square pyramidalCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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