Draw the structure of chlorine pentafluoride (ClF5) according to the VSEPR theory

The molecule is uncharged, so we can find that chlorine is in its +5 oxidation state. Since there are 5 Cl-F bonds, there are 5 bonding electron pairs around the central Cl atom. We also know that chlorine is in group 7, so it has 7 valence electrons. 5 out of those seven are "tied up" in the Cl-F bonds, thus the remaining two must form a non-bonding electron pair. We have 6 electron pairs (5 bonding and 1 non-bonding) to arrange around the chlorine center - which suggests an octahedral shape. However, since we have one electron pair, the shape of the molecule will be pyramidal.

PS

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe the effects of changing the temperature on a reaction using Le Chatelier's princriple


What are covalent bonds?


What is the structure of benzene?


A) The compound butan-2-ol reacts with acidified potassium dichromate(VI) to form a new compound. Give the IUPAC name of the Product. B) 2,2-dimethyl butan-2-ol was subjected to the same conditions. State and explain the outcome