How many right angles are there in a XeF+5 ion?

1 Answer
Nov 16, 2017

There are eight right angles in XeF+5.

Explanation:

You must draw the Lewis structure of XeF+5.

Electrons available = 1Xe + 5F - 1 = 8 + 35 - 1 = 42

Five Xe-F bonds account for 40 valence electrons, but you actually have 42 electrons available.

Your Lewis structure will have 5 Xe-F bonds and a lone pair on the Xe.

XeF5+XeF5+
(Adapted from SlideShare)

This is an AX5E molecule.

The electron geometry is octahedral

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The molecular geometry is square pyramidal.

Square pyramidalSquare pyramidal
(Adapted from Ask the TA)

Now, we count the right angles.

Using the numbers of the atoms, we get the angles:

  • 2-1-3
  • 2-1-4
  • 2-1-5
  • 2-1-6
  • 3-1-4
  • 3-1-6
  • 4-1-5
  • 5-1-6

That makes eight right angles.