What is the molecular shape of PF_3?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 4, 2016

"Trigonal pyramidal"

Explanation:

There are 4 regions of electron density around the central phosphorus atom, one of which is a lone pair. Given simple VSEPR, a structure based on a tetrahedron is specified. But because we describe structure in relation to atoms, and not electron pairs, the structure of PF_3 should be pyramidal, an analogue of ammonia.

This site reports that /_F-P-F=107""^@, so it seems that we are not too offbase. The /_F-N-F=102.5""^@ in NF_3 is included for comparison.

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