The molecular shape of iodine pentafluoride (IF5) is square pyramidal due to its electron configuration and the arrangement of its valence electrons. Iodine, with an electron configuration of s2p5, can accommodate up to seven ligands, resulting in a total of 42 valence electrons. In the Lewis structure, five bonding electrons are utilized, leaving 32 non-bonding electrons. The placement of the non-bonding electron pair in an equatorial position leads to a distorted geometry, confirming the square pyramidal shape rather than a trigonal bipyramidal configuration.
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