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Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure question

2024 · 30 Jan · Shift 2 · Q9
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Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure question

2024 · 30 Jan · Shift 2 · Q9

JEE MainChemistryChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureMCQ+4 / −1
The molecule / ion with square pyramidal shape is
  1. A
    PCl5\mathrm{PCl}_5PCl5​
  2. B
    [Ni(CN)4]2−\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CN})_4\right]^{2-}[Ni(CN)4​]2−
  3. C
    PF5\mathrm{PF}_5PF5​
  4. D
    BrF5\mathrm{BrF}_5BrF5​
View written solutionFree

Correct answer: D

  1. Identify the molecular geometry of each option using VSEPR theory / known coordination geometry.

  1. Option A: PCl5\mathrm{PCl}_5PCl5​
  • Central atom: P\mathrm{P}P
  • Number of bonded pairs around P = 5
  • Lone pairs on P = 0

So the steric number is 555, giving trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

Hence, PCl5\mathrm{PCl}_5PCl5​ is not square pyramidal.


  1. Option B: [Ni(CN)4]2−\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CN})_4\right]^{2-}[Ni(CN)4​]2−
  • Oxidation state of Ni: x+4(−1)=−2⇒x=+2x + 4(-1) = -2 \Rightarrow x = +2x+4(−1)=−2⇒x=+2
  • So Ni is Ni2+\mathrm{Ni}^{2+}Ni2+, i.e. 3d83d^83d8.
  • Since CN−\mathrm{CN}^-CN− is a strong field ligand, this complex is typically square planar.

Thus, [Ni(CN)4]2−\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CN})_4\right]^{2-}[Ni(CN)4​]2− is square planar, not square pyramidal.


  1. Option C: PF5\mathrm{PF}_5PF5​
  • Central atom: P\mathrm{P}P
  • Bonded pairs = 5
  • Lone pairs = 0

Again, steric number =5=5=5, so geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.

Hence, PF5\mathrm{PF}_5PF5​ is not square pyramidal.


  1. Option D: BrF5\mathrm{BrF}_5BrF5​
  • Central atom: Br\mathrm{Br}Br
  • Valence electrons on Br = 7
  • It forms 5 bonds with F, leaving 1 lone pair.
  • Therefore, total electron pair regions around Br = 6.

So the electron pair geometry is octahedral. With one lone pair, the molecular shape becomes square pyramidal.

Hence, BrF5\mathrm{BrF}_5BrF5​ has square pyramidal shape.


  1. Conclusion

The molecule / ion with square pyramidal shape is:

BrF5\boxed{\mathrm{BrF}_5}BrF5​​

So the correct option is D.

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