The molecular geometry of ClF3

[butterwings]

Hi, I thought that ClF3 is trigonal bipyramid or triangular bipyramidal. But it is not, so I don't know what it should be named in molecular geometry.

Thank you so much to whom ever will answer my confusing thoughts right now! Thank you!

 

[pzona]

Look at the lone electron pairs on the chlorine. There are two lone pairs, giving it the form AB3E2. What does VSEPR theory tell you about this shape?

 

[quicknote]

Hi there,

The molecular geometry of ClF3 is actually T-shaped. This means that it has three bonded atoms (the three fluorine atoms) and two lone pairs of electrons on the central chlorine atom. The shape is similar to a "T" with the fluorine atoms at the ends and the lone pairs at the top.

It is understandable that you may have thought it was trigonal bipyramidal or triangular bipyramidal, as those shapes also have five regions of electron density. However, the presence of lone pairs on the central atom changes the overall shape to T-shaped.

I hope this helps clarify things for you. Keep up the good work in your studies!