JEE Advanced 2024 Paper 1 · Q15 · VSEPR — Xenon Compounds

Question

Based on $\mathbf{VSEPR}$ model, match the xenon compounds given in $\mathbf{List	ext{-}I}$ with the corresponding geometries and the number of lone pairs on xenon given in $\mathbf{List	ext{-}II}$ and choose the correct option.

$\mathbf{List	ext{-}I}$:
(P) $XeF_2$
(Q) $XeF_4$
(R) $XeO_3$
(S) $XeO_3F_2$

$\mathbf{List	ext{-}II}$:
(1) Trigonal bipyramidal and two lone pair of electrons
(2) Tetrahedral and one lone pair of electrons
(3) Octahedral and two lone pair of electrons
(4) Trigonal bipyramidal and no lone pair of electrons
(5) Trigonal bipyramidal and three lone pair of electrons

SolveKar AI · Accepted Answer

Steric numbers and lone-pair counts on Xe:
• $XeF_2$: 2 bond pairs + 3 lone pairs = SN 5; AX$_2$E$_3$ → parent geometry trigonal bipyramidal, three lone pairs equatorial → matches (5).
• $XeF_4$: 4 bp + 2 lp = SN 6; AX$_4$E$_2$ → parent geometry octahedral, two lone pairs trans → matches (3).
• $XeO_3$: 3 σ-bonds (Xe=O double bonds counted once for VSEPR) + 1 lp = SN 4; AX$_3$E → parent tetrahedral, one lone pair → shape pyramidal — matches (2) (Tetrahedral with one lone pair).
• $XeO_3F_2$: 5 σ-bonds (3 to O, 2 to F) + 0 lp = SN 5; AX$_5$ → parent trigonal bipyramidal, no lone pair (F axial, O equatorial) → matches (4).
Mapping: P-5, Q-3, R-2, S-4 = option (B).

JEE Advanced 2024 Paper 1 · Q15 · VSEPR — Xenon Compounds

Solution