Which one of the following is the shape of BrF₅?

Octahedral

Square planar

Square pyramidal

Trigonal bipyramidal

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This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2023

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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.

The central atom (Br) has 5 bond pairs and 1 lone pair, resulting in a total of 6 electron domains around it. According to VSEPR theory, 6 electron domains arrange themselves in an octahedral electron geometry to minimize repulsion. When one position is occupied by a lone pair and five by bonding pairs, the resulting molecular geometry (shape of the atoms) is square pyramidal. The lone pair occupies an equatorial position to minimize repulsion, pushing the four basal fluorine atoms towards the apex, forming a square base and a pyramid with bromine at the apex.

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