Use VSEPR theory to predict the electron-pair geometry and the molecular geometry of nitrogen trichloride,NCl₃. A) The electron-pair geometry is linear,the molecular geometry is linear. B) The electron-pair geometry is trigonal-planar,the molecular geometry is trigonal-planar. C) The electron-pair geometry is trigonal-planar,the molecular geometry is bent. D) The electron-pair geometry is tetrahedral,the molecular geometry is tetrahedral. E) The electron-pair geometry is tetrahedral,the molecular geometry is trigonal-pyramidal.

Question

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According to VSEPR theory, nitrogen trichloride has four electron pairs around the nitrogen atom. Three of these electron pairs are occupied by chlorine atoms and the fourth is a lone pair. This gives NCl3 a tetrahedral electron-pair geometry. However, since one of the electron pairs is a lone pair, the molecular geometry will be trigonal-pyramidal with a bond angle less than 109.5° due to the lone pair taking up more space. Therefore, choice E is the best answer.

Use VSEPR Theory to Predict the Electron-Pair Geometry and the Molecular