What is the electron-domain (charge-cloud) geometry of ClF5?
To determine the electron-domain (charge-cloud) geometry of a molecule, we need to follow a step-by-step process using the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory. Here are the steps to determine the electron-domain geometry of ClF5:
Step 1: Determine the Lewis structure of the molecule.
In the case of ClF5, Chlorine (Cl) is the central atom, and it is bonded to five Fluorine (F) atoms. Since Fluorine is more electronegative, it always occupies the terminal positions. The Lewis structure will look like this:
F F F
\ | /
Cl
/ | \
F F F
Step 2: Count the total number of regions of electron density surrounding the central atom.
Regions of electron density include lone pairs and bonded atoms. In this case, the central Chlorine atom has five regions of electron density (the five bonded Fluorine atoms). There are no lone pairs on the central atom.
Step 3: Determine the electron-domain geometry based on the number of regions of electron density.
For a molecule with five regions of electron density, the electron-domain geometry will be trigonal bipyramidal. Trigonal bipyramidal geometry consists of three equatorial positions and two axial positions.
Step 4: Determine the molecular geometry based on the presence of lone pairs.
In the case of ClF5, since there are no lone pairs present on the central Chlorine atom, the molecular geometry also remains trigonal bipyramidal.
Therefore, the electron-domain (charge-cloud) geometry of ClF5 is trigonal bipyramidal.