Place the following in order of increasing F-A-F bond angle,where A represents the central atom in each molecule. PF₃ OF₂ PF₄⁺ A) PF₃

Question

Place the following in order of increasing F-A-F bond angle,where A represents the central atom in each molecule. PF₃ OF₂ PF₄⁺ A) PF₃ < OF₂< PF₄⁺ B) OF₂ < PF₃ < PF₄⁺ C) OF₂ < PF₄⁺ < PF₃ D) PF₄⁺ < OF₂ < PF₃ E) PF₄⁺ < PF₃< OF₂

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In OF2, there are two lone pairs of electrons that occupy more space around the central atom, causing the bonding pairs to be pushed closer together and leading to a smaller bond angle. Therefore, OF2 has the smallest F-A-F bond angle. In PF3, the three bonding pairs are spread out more evenly around the central phosphorus atom, leading to a slightly larger bond angle than OF2. Finally, in PF5, the five bonding pairs are even more spread out, causing the largest F-A-F bond angle. Therefore, the correct order is OF₂ < PF₃ < PF₄⁺.

Place the Following in Order of Increasing F-A-F Bond Angle,where