Question

ClF3 molecule has a bent T-shaped structure and not a trigonal planar structure. Explain

Answer 1

T Shaped

Explanation:

This is because lone pairs require more area than Fluoride ions. It’s better to occupy the equatorial position

Answer 2

$ClF_3$ molecule has a bent T-shaped structure and not a trigonal planar structure.

Explanation:

• To find the shape of the compound its steric number must be calculated as the type of hybridization and shapes depends on it.
• The formula used to calculate the steric number is as follows:

Steric number = Number of bond atoms + Number of lone pairs

• In $ClF_3$, it has three Cl-F covalent bonds. Thus it is confirmed as it has 3 pairs of bond electrons and 2 pairs of lone electrons and together has 5 electron pairs as given in the attachment.
• Thus the steric number of $ClF_3$ is 3+ 2 = 5. As the steric number is 5, the hybridization is $sp^3d$.
• As the steric number is 5, the compound has trigaonal bipyramidal with two positions occupied by lone pairs. Due to this it has a bent-T shaped structure.

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