Unraveling the Structure of XeF6: VSEPR and Valence Bond Theories

[mooncrater]

Homework Statement

I am confused about the structure of $XeF_6$.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Is it octahedral or a pyramid with a pentagonal base? $Xe$ has $sp^3d^3$ hybridization. Then I think the latter one is correct. Since the first one has nonarrangement for the lone pair over $Xe$.

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Homework Statement

I am confused about the structure of $IF_6$.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Is it octahedral or a pyramid with a pentagonal base? $I$ has $sp^3d^3$ hybridization. Then I think the latter one is correct. Since the first one has nonarrangement for the lone pair over $I$.

I think there is no thing as IF₆.
It should be [IF₆]⁺ as that is the stable specie.
So it has then a octahedral structure.

 

[mooncrater]

I think there is no thing as IF₆.
It should be [IF₆]⁺ as that is the stable specie.
So it has then a octahedral structure.

Sorry I meant to say $XeF_6$... did that in hurry.

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Sorry I meant to say $XeF_6$... did that in hurry.

Hey how you edited the title?
Did you reported it to staff?
XeF6 does not have perfect octahedral or the other structure you have showed in attempt.

 

[mooncrater]

Hey how you edited the title?
Did you reported it to staff?
XeF6 does not have perfect octahedral or the other structure you have showed in attempt.

I used the thread tools.
It has $sp^3d^3$ hybridization for sure. But it's structure is still not clear to me.

 

[Raghav Gupta]

Oh, never noticed that thread tools.
See this
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon_hexafluoride

 

[mooncrater]

But when we search about $sp^3d^3$ in images section of Google then we can see the structure of $IF_7$ which has $sp^3d^3$ structure. Why it has a different structure?

 

[Raghav Gupta]

But when we search about $sp^3d^3$ in images section of Google then we can see the structure of $IF_7$ which has $sp^3d^3$ structure. Why it has a different structure?

They are saying that it has an unusual pentagonal bi pyramidal structure .
And remember one has lone pair and IF7 does not have that. So some differences will be there.

 

[mooncrater]

Ok then... I assume my doubt cleared.
Thank you. ($R\longrightarrow R$ help)

 

[James Pelezo]

They are saying that it has an unusual pentagonal bi pyramidal structure .
And remember one has lone pair and IF7 does not have that. So some differences will be there.

Good call RG... The Pentagonal Bipyramid is correct. Now, can you apply the VSEPR theory and show => AX₆E geometry for :XeF₆? and then the Valence Bond theory to show how the ground state electron configuration of Xe hybridizes at the valence level to give seven (7) sp³d³ hybrid orbitals? I'll bet you already know how to do it. Go for it!