Question

predict the shape of xef2

Answer 1

Trigonal Bipyramid. One would think linear but you have to consider how the non-bonded electrons on xenon behave. Only one electron of xenon’s 8 valence electrons bonds withan atom of Fluorine. So since there are two Fluorines, they each bond with one of xenon’s eight valence electrons leaving 6 unbounded electrons, which equates to 3 lone pairs. These lone pairs spread out in a trigonal formation and the two Florine’s bonded to xenon form a linear geometry on either side of the xenon, which then makes the entire geometry trigonal bipyramid.