JEE Main · Chemistry ↓ Falling

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure appeared 42 times across 3 years — 4.9% of Chemistry. This question is from VSEPR Theory.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 12 14 16 42

Number of compounds with one lone pair of electrons on central atom amongst following is O₃, H₂O, SF₄, ClF₃, NH₃, BrF₅, XeF₄

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 4 to 4 +4 marks

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

Let us determine the steric number (Z) and number of lone pairs (LP) for the central atom in each given molecule. Formula: Z = (1)/(2) (V + M - C + A) Where V = valence electrons on central atom, M = number of monovalent atoms, C = cationic charge, A = anionic charge. LP = Z - Bond Pairs (B.P.)

  • O₃: Central atom O (V=6). It forms one double bond and one dative bond. It has 1 lone pair remaining.
  • H₂O: Central atom O (V=6). Z = (1)/(2)(6 + 2) = 4. LP = 4 - 2 = 2.
  • SF₄: Central atom S (V=6). Z = (1)/(2)(6 + 4) = 5. LP = 5 - 4 = 1 (See-saw shape).
  • ClF₃: Central atom Cl (V=7). Z = (1)/(2)(7 + 3) = 5. LP = 5 - 3 = 2 (T-shape).
  • NH₃: Central atom N (V=5). Z = (1)/(2)(5 + 3) = 4. LP = 4 - 3 = 1 (Pyramidal).
  • BrF₅: Central atom Br (V=7). Z = (1)/(2)(7 + 5) = 6. LP = 6 - 5 = 1 (Square Pyramidal).
  • XeF₄: Central atom Xe (V=8). Z = (1)/(2)(8 + 4) = 6. LP = 6 - 4 = 2 (Square Planar).
Step 1: Final Counting

VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
VSEPR Theory diagram for Q81 - JEE Main 2024 Morning

The compounds containing exactly ONE lone pair on the central atom are O₃, SF₄, NH₃, and BrF₅.

Total count = 4.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Reference Study Guides

More Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Previous-Year Questions — Page 4

Q jee_main_2025_07_april_morning VSEPR Theory
Match the LIST-I with LIST-II.
LIST-I (Molecule/ion)LIST-II (Bond pair : lone pair on the central atom)
(A) ICl₂^-(I) 4 : 2
(B) H₂O(II) 4 : 1
(C) SO₂(III) 2 : 3
(D) XeF₄(IV) 2 : 2
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)
  • B. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)
  • C. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)
  • D. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

Solution

Core Logic

Let's find the number of bond pairs (σ-bonds or regions) and lone pairs on the central atom of each species:

  • ICl₂^-:
  • Central atom Iodine has 7 valence electrons + 1 negative charge = 8 electrons.
  • Forms 2 single bonds (bond pairs = 2).
  • Remaining 6 electrons form 3 lone pairs.
  • Ratio is 2 : 3 (Matches LIST-II, III).
  • VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-
    VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-

  • H₂O:
  • Oxygen has 6 valence electrons.
  • Forms 2 bond pairs with Hydrogens.
  • Remaining 4 electrons form 2 lone pairs.
  • Ratio is 2 : 2 (Matches LIST-II, IV).
  • VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-
    VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-

  • SO₂:
  • Sulfur has 6 valence electrons.
  • Forms 2 double bonds (which are counted as 4 bonding pairs of electrons/bond pairs in typical VSEPR representations here).
  • Remaining 2 electrons form 1 lone pair.
  • Ratio is 4 : 1 (Matches LIST-II, II).
  • VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-
    VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-

  • XeF₄:
  • Xenon has 8 valence electrons.
  • Forms 4 bond pairs with Fluorines.
  • Remaining 4 electrons form 2 lone pairs.
  • Ratio is 4 : 2 (Matches LIST-II, I).
  • VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-
    VSEPR linear shape of ICl2-

    Thus, the correct mapping is: A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I.

Pattern Recognition

For match-the-column with VSEPR structures:

  • Always find steric number: Steric Number = (1)/(2)(V + M - C + A).
  • Water is 2 bond pairs, 2 lone pairs (sp³) arrow B-IV. This alone helps eliminate multiple incorrect options immediately.
Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q50 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Lewis Structures and Valence Electrons
Total number of non bonded electrons present in NO2⁻ ion based on Lewis theory is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 12 to 12

Solution

Core Logic

Let's compute the total valence electrons for the nitrite ion (NO₂^-):

Valence electrons = 5 (from N) + 2 × 6 (from O) + 1 (negative charge) = 18 electrons

In the valid Lewis structural representation:

  • The central nitrogen atom forms one single bond and one double bond with the terminal oxygens, consuming 2 + 4 = 6 bonding electrons.
  • Remaining non-bonded valence electrons = 18 - 6 = 12 electrons.
Step 1: Account for Lone Pairs

Distribution of non-bonded electrons across the individual atoms:

  • Central Nitrogen atom has 1 lone pair (2 electrons).
  • Single-bonded Oxygen atom has 3 lone pairs (6 electrons).
  • Double-bonded Oxygen atom has 2 lone pairs (4 electrons).
Total non-bonded electrons = 2 + 6 + 4 = 12
Pattern Recognition

Non-bonded electrons can always be obtained directly by subtracting total bonding electrons from total valence electrons.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q31 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning VSEPR Theory and d-Electron Configurations
Consider 'n' is the number of lone pair of electrons present in the equatorial position of the most stable structure of ClF₃ . The ions from the following with 'n' number of unpaired electrons are : A. V3 + B. Ti³⁺ C. Cu2 + D. Ni²⁺ E. Ti²⁺ Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A and C only
  • B. A, D and E only
  • C. B and C only
  • D. B and D only

Solution

Step 1: Determine 'n'

ClF₃ has a central Chlorine atom with 7 valence electrons, bound to 3 Fluorine atoms. This leaves 2 lone pairs. The geometry is trigonal bipyramidal (T-shaped molecule). In its most stable geometry, both lone pairs lie in the equatorial plane to minimize lone pair-bonding pair repulsions. Thus, n = 2.

Step 2: Find ions with 2 unpaired electrons

Let us compute the number of unpaired electrons for each configuration:

  • A. V³⁺: [Ar] 3d² arrow 2 unpaired electrons.
  • B. Ti³⁺: [Ar] 3d¹ arrow 1 unpaired electron.
  • C. Cu²⁺: [Ar] 3d⁹ arrow 1 unpaired electron.
  • D. Ni²⁺: [Ar] 3d⁸ arrow 2 unpaired electrons.
  • E. Ti²⁺: [Ar] 3d² arrow 2 unpaired electrons.
  • Thus, A, D, and E have exactly n=2 unpaired electrons.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Number of equatorial lone pairs linked to unpaired electrons. Shortcut: Remember ClF₃ is T-shaped with 2 equatorial lone pairs. Look for d² or d⁸ configurations among the transition metal ions.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Class 12 Chemistry: The d-and f-Block Elements

Q35 jee_main_2025_28_jan_morning Molecular Geometry and VSEPR
  • A. BrF₅ & XeOF₄
  • B. SbF₅ & XeOF₄
  • C. SbF₅ & PCl₅
  • D. BrF₅ & PCl₅

Solution

Core Logic

Let us check the steric details using VSEPR theory:

  • BrF₅: Bromine has 7 valence electrons. It forms 5 single bonds with Fluorine and retains 1 lone pair. Steric number = 6 (sp³d²), geometry is square pyramidal.
  • XeOF₄: Xenon has 8 valence electrons. It forms 1 double bond with Oxygen, 4 single bonds with Fluorine, and retains 1 lone pair. Steric number = 6 (sp³d²), geometry is square pyramidal.
  • SbF₅ & PCl₅: Central element has 5 valence electrons, forming 5 bonds with no lone pairs. Steric number = 5 (sp³d), geometry is trigonal bipyramidal.
  • Visual representations of geometries:

    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
    Geometry structure diagram 1 for Q35 - JEE Main 2025 Morning

Pattern Recognition

Sees: Steric count 6 with 5 bonded segments + 1 lone pair arrow always square pyramidal geometry.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q43 jee_main_2025_03_april_morning Hybridization
Match the LIST-I with LIST-II:
LIST-I (Molecules/ion)LIST-II (Hybridisation of central atom)
(A) PF₅(I) dsp²
(B) SF₆(II) sp³d
(C) Ni(CO)₄(III) sp³d²
(D) [PtCl₄]²⁻(IV) sp³
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I
  • B. A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III
  • C. A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV
  • D. A-III, B-I, C-IV, D-II

Solution

Related Formula
Steric Number = Lone Pairs + σ-bonds
Core Logic

A. PF₅: 5σ-bonds, 0 lone pairs Steric number 5 sp³d (II)

B. SF₆: 6σ-bonds, 0 lone pairs Steric number 6 sp³d² (III)

C. Ni(CO)₄: Ni(0) = 3d⁸ 4s² CO (strong field) 3d¹⁰, tetrahedral sp³ (IV)

D. [PtCl₄]²⁻: Pt²⁺ = 5d⁸, square planar for 5d transition metal dsp² (I)

Step 1: Final Match

A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I.

Pattern Recognition

5 bonds = sp³d, 6 bonds = sp³d², Ni(CO)₄ = sp³, 5d metal complexes (Pt²⁺) = always square planar dsp².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Class 12 Chemistry: Coordination Compounds

More Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning

Practice all Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)