Question

`XeF_4` contains 4 fluorine atoms and two lone pairs around a central xenon atom. Which valence orbitals overlap to form the four bonds in this molecule?

Answer 1

A new set of degenerate `sp^3d^2` hybridized orbitals participate in the bond formation.

Explanation:

In the molecule given, the central xenon atom forms 4 bonds and 2 electron lone pairs. So, in total six orbitals need to be modified in order to give rise to a new set of degerate orbitals namely, six `sp^3d^2` hybridized orbitals.

So, while bond formation, four of the formed `sp^3d^2` hybridized orbitals participate in bond formation with each F atom.