Numerical answer
Among the following species, the number that are planar (all atoms in one plane) and have at least two lone pairs of electrons on the central atom is ______.
Show answer and solution
Answer: 4
Use VSEPR with the steric number. (4 bp + 2 lp, octahedral parent) is square planar, with two lone pairs. (3 bp + 2 lp, trigonal bipyramidal parent) is T-shaped, with both lone pairs equatorial, so the molecule is planar. (2 bp + 3 lp) is linear, which is trivially planar with three lone pairs. (4 bp + 2 lp) is square planar. (see-saw) has one lone pair and is non-planar. and are square pyramidal with one lone pair, is pyramidal with one lone pair, and has none. The count is therefore 4.
Saved on this device. Sign in or create a free account to keep it on every device.