Which one of the following is the shape of BrF₅?
Octahedral
Square planar
Square pyramidal
Trigonal bipyramidal
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
The shape of BrF₅ is square pyramidal.
To determine the shape of a molecule, VSEPR theory is used. Bromine (Br) is the central atom in BrF₅, having 7 valence electrons. Five Fluorine (F) atoms are bonded to Br, each forming a single bond. This accounts for 5 valence electrons from Br being used in bonding, forming 5 bond pairs. The remaining 7 – 5 = 2 valence electrons form one lone pair on the central Br atom.