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Q.Explain the structures of

(a) XeF2 and
(b) XeF4
Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education 2026Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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XeF2 is linear (sp3d, 2 bond pairs + 3 lone pairs); XeF4 is square planar (sp3d2, 4 bond pairs + 2 lone pairs).

(a) XeF2:

  • Xe (group 18) has 8 valence electrons. In XeF2 it uses 2 electrons to bond with 2 F atoms, leaving 3 lone pairs.
  • Total electron pairs around Xe = 2 bond pairs + 3 lone pairs = 5 -> sp3d hybridisation -> trigonal bipyramidal electron geometry.
  • To minimise repulsion, the 3 lone pairs occupy the three equatorial positions and the 2 F atoms occupy the two axial positions.
  • Shape of the molecule = linear, with the F-Xe-F angle = 180 degrees.

(b) XeF4:

  • Xe uses 4 electrons to bond with 4 F atoms, leaving 2 lone pairs.
  • Total electron pairs = 4 bond pairs + 2 lone pairs = 6 -> sp3d2 hybridisation -> octahedral electron geometry. …

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