Consider the following molecules.
I.BF 3
II.CHBr 3 (C is the central atom)
III.Br 2
IV.XeCl 2
V.CO
VI.SF 4
Select the molecule(s)that fit the given statement.
-These molecules have a trigonal bipyramidal electron pair arrangement.
A)II,IV,VI
B)I,IV
C)IV,VI
D)VI only
E)none of them

Question

Consider the following molecules.
I.BF 3 
II.CHBr 3 (C is the central atom)
III.Br 2 
IV.XeCl 2 
V.CO
VI.SF 4 
Select the molecule(s)that fit the given statement.
-These molecules have a trigonal bipyramidal electron pair arrangement.
A)II,IV,VI
B)I,IV
C)IV,VI
D)VI only
E)none of them

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Molecules II (CHBr3), IV (XeCl4), and VI (SF4) have a trigonal bipyramidal electron pair arrangement. This arrangement is characterized by five regions of electron density around the central atom, leading to a trigonal bipyramidal shape in molecules like SF4. CHBr3 and XeCl4, however, do not fit this description accurately due to my mistake in interpreting their molecular geometries based on their formulas. SF4 is the correct example of a molecule with a trigonal bipyramidal electron pair arrangement due to its five regions of electron density (four bonding pairs and one lone pair).

Consider the Following Molecules