Determine the electron geometry (eg),molecular geometry (mg),and polarity of HFO₂. A) eg = trigonal bipyramidal, mg = trigonal planar, nonpolar B) eg = octahedral, mg = square planar, polar C) eg = tetrahedral, mg = bent, polar D) eg = tetrahedral, mg = tetrahedral, polar E) eg = linear, mg = linear, polar

Question

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The molecule HFO₂ has four electron domains around the central atom (S), resulting in a tetrahedral electron geometry. However, one of the electron domains is a lone pair, which will exert greater repulsion on the other electron domains than a bonded pair would. As a result, the lone pair will distort the molecular geometry from tetrahedral to bent. Furthermore, the molecule contains polar bonds (between S and F, S and O), and the bent molecular geometry results in an overall polarity for the molecule. Therefore, choice C is the best answer.

Determine the Electron Geometry (Eg),molecular Geometry (Mg),and Polarity of HFO2

Determine the Electron Geometry (Eg),molecular Geometry (Mg),and Polarity of HFO₂