JEE AdvancedChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureNumerical+4 / −1
Based on VSEPR theory, the number of 90 degree F-Br-F angles in is
Numerical answer
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Correct answer: 0
Step-by-step derivation:
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Determine the central atom and valence electrons. In the molecule , Bromine (Br) is the central atom as it is less electronegative than Fluorine (F). Bromine is in Group 17 of the periodic table, so it has 7 valence electrons.
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Calculate the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs.
- The central Br atom forms single covalent bonds with five F atoms. Therefore, there are 5 bonding pairs (bp).
- The number of electrons used in bonding is 5.
- The number of non-bonding electrons on Br is (Total valence electrons) - (Electrons used in bonding) = 7 - 5 = 2.
- These 2 non-bonding electrons form one lone pair (lp).
- So, the central Br atom has 5 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair.
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Determine the VSEPR formula and electron geometry.
- The total number of electron domains (steric number) around the central atom is the sum of bonding pairs and lone pairs: 5 bp + 1 lp = 6.
- The VSEPR formula for is , where A is the central atom, X are the surrounding atoms, and E is the lone pair.
- For a steric number of 6, the electron pairs arrange themselves in an octahedral geometry to minimize repulsion.
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Determine the molecular geometry.
- In the octahedral arrangement, there are 6 positions for the electron pairs. One position is occupied by the lone pair, and the other five are occupied by the bonding pairs with Fluorine atoms.
- The resulting molecular shape is square pyramidal. The four F atoms form the base of the pyramid in the equatorial plane, and one F atom is at the apex (axial position). The lone pair occupies the position opposite to the axial F atom.
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Analyze the bond angles based on VSEPR theory.
- VSEPR theory states that the order of repulsion between electron pairs is: lone pair-lone pair > lone pair-bonding pair > bonding pair-bonding pair.
- In an ideal octahedral geometry (like in ), all bond angles are exactly 90° or 180°.
- However, in , the presence of the lone pair distorts this ideal geometry.
- The lone pair exerts a stronger repulsion on the adjacent bonding pairs than another bonding pair would. The lone pair repels the four equatorial Br-F bonds more strongly than the axial Br-F bond repels them.
- This stronger repulsion pushes the four equatorial F atoms slightly upwards, away from the lone pair and towards the axial F atom.
- As a result, the angles between the axial F and the equatorial F atoms (F-Br-F) are compressed and become less than 90°. (Experimental value is ~84.8°).
- Similarly, the distortion affects the angles between adjacent equatorial F atoms (F-Br-F). Because the Br atom is pushed slightly out of the plane of the four equatorial F atoms, these angles are also no longer exactly 90°.
- Therefore, due to the repulsion from the lone pair, all the F-Br-F angles that would be 90° in a perfect octahedron are distorted.
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Conclusion. Based on the VSEPR theory, there are no F-Br-F angles that are exactly 90° in the molecule.
The number of 90 degree F-Br-F angles is 0.
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