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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 6

Q43 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Hybridization and Molecular Geometry
Which of the following statement is true with respect to H₂O, NH₃ and CH₄ ? A. The central atoms of all the molecules are sp³ hybridized. B. The H-O-H, H-N-H and H-C-H angles in the above molecules are 104.5° , 107.5° and 109.5° respectively. C. The increasing order of dipole moment is CH₄ < NH₃ < H₂O . D. Both H₂O and NH₃ are Lewis acids and CH₄ is a Lewis base E. A solution of NH₃ in H₂O is basic. In this solution NH₃ and H₂O act as Lowry-Bronsted acid and base respectively. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. A, B and C only
  • B. C, D and E only
  • C. A, D and E only
  • D. A, B, C and E only

Solution

Core Logic

Analyzing each statement individually:

  • Statement A is true: The central atoms (O, N, C) all possess an electron steric number equal to 4, indicating sp³ hybridization state pathways.
  • Statement B is true: Due to valence shell electron pair repulsions, the bond angles decrease from the ideal tetrahedral angle (109.5° in CH₄,
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    ) as lone pairs are added (107.5° in NH₃ with 1 lone pair,
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    ; 104.5° in H₂O with 2 lone pairs,
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    Water molecule structural bond configuration shape representation
    ).
  • Statement C is true: The dipole moment increases alongside central atom electronegativity and asymmetric lone pair configurations, following the sequence CH₄ (0 D) < NH₃ (1.47 D) < H₂O (1.85 D).
Pattern Recognition

Lone pairs repel bonding electron pairs more strongly than bonding pairs repel each other, systematically compressing adjacent bond angles.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q74 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Ionic Character
Arrange the bonds in order of increasing ionic character in the molecules. LiF, K₂O, N₂, SO₂ and ClF₃.
  • A. ClF₃ < N₂ < SO₂ < K₂O < LiF
  • B. LiF < K₂O < ClF₃ < SO₂ < N₂
  • C. N₂ < SO₂ < ClF₃ < K₂O < LiF
  • D. N₂ < ClF₃ < SO₂ < K₂O < LiF

Solution

Core Logic

The ionic character of a bond is directly proportional to the electronegativity difference (Δ EN) between the two bonded atoms. Larger Δ EN higher ionic character.

Step 1: Assess Electronegativity Differences
  • N₂: Both atoms are Nitrogen. Δ EN = 0. Purely covalent. (Lowest ionic character)
  • SO₂: Bond between S and O. Moderate Δ EN. Covalent with some polarity.
  • ClF₃: Bond between Cl and F. Δ EN is higher than S-O as F is the most electronegative element.
  • K₂O: Bond between K (alkali metal, very low EN) and O. Very high Δ EN. Ionic.
  • LiF: Bond between Li (alkali metal) and F (highest EN). Maximum Δ EN possible among these options. Most ionic.
Step 2: Order Derivation

Increasing order of ionic character (or Δ EN): N₂ < SO₂ < ClF₃ < K₂O < LiF

Pattern Recognition

Homodiatomic (N₂) is always 0% ionic. Alkali metal + Halogen (LiF) represents the extreme of the ionic spectrum. Sorting non-metals by group distance yields the middle ranks.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q85 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning VSEPR Theory
The number of molecules/ion/s having trigonal bipyramidal shape is .... PF₅, BrF₅, PCl₅, [PtCl₄]²⁻, BF₃, Fe(CO)₅
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

Core Logic

Using VSEPR theory to find the hybridization and shape:

  • PF₅: P has 5 valence electrons, forms 5 single bonds with F. Steric number = 5 (sp3d). 0 lone pairs. Shape = Trigonal bipyramidal.
  • BrF₅: Br has 7 valence electrons, forms 5 single bonds, 1 lone pair. Steric number = 6 (sp3d2). Shape = Square pyramidal.
  • PCl₅: P has 5 valence electrons, 5 bonds, 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 5 (sp3d). Shape = Trigonal bipyramidal.
  • [PtCl₄]²⁻: Pt²⁺ is a d⁸ system. With Cl^- (but 4d/5d transition metals always form low spin square planar complexes), it's dsp² hybridized. Shape = Square planar.
  • BF₃: B has 3 valence electrons, 3 bonds, 0 lone pairs. Steric number = 3 (sp2). Shape = Trigonal planar.
  • 6. Fe(CO)₅: Fe (d6s2 arrow d8 under strong field CO). Carbonyls strongly prefer 5-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal geometry for d⁸ (dsp³ hybridization). Shape = Trigonal bipyramidal.

Step 1: Count Trigonal Bipyramidal Molecules

Molecules with trigonal bipyramidal shape:

  • PF₅
  • PCl₅
  • Fe(CO)₅
  • Total count = 3.

Pattern Recognition

Steric Number = 5 with 0 lone pairs ALWAYS yields Trigonal Bipyramidal geometry. Watch out for BrF₅ which has 5 bonds but 1 lone pair (SN = 6, Square Pyramidal).

Chapter Mix

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

Q jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Molecular Orbital Theory
The total number of anti bonding molecular orbitals, formed from 2s and 2p atomic orbitals in a diatomic molecule is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 4 to 4

Solution

Related Formula
Total Atomic Orbitals Combinations = Bonding MOs + Antibonding MOs
Core Logic

When atomic orbitals combine, they form an equal number of molecular orbitals:

  • Two 2s atomic orbitals combine to form 1 bonding orbital (σ₂ₛ) and 1 antibonding orbital (σ^*₂ₛ).
  • Six 2p atomic orbitals combine to form 3 bonding orbitals (σ2pz, π2pₓ, π2py) and 3 antibonding orbitals (σ^2pz, π^2pₓ, π^*2py).
Step 1: Total Summation

Summing the antibonding orbitals from both subshells:

Total Antibonding Molecular Orbitals = 1 (from 2s) + 3 (from 2p) = 4
Pattern Recognition

The linear combination of N atomic orbitals always yields exactly (N)/(2) antibonding molecular orbitals.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Q jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Dipole Moment
The total number of molecules with zero dipole moment among CH₄, BF₃, H₂O, HF, NH₃, CO₂, and SO₂ is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

Related Formula
μₙₑₜ = Σ μᵢ = 0 (For perfectly symmetrical geometry configurations)
Core Logic

Analyze the molecular geometry and symmetry of each molecule:

  • CH₄: Symmetrical tetrahedral geometry μ = 0.
  • BF₃: Symmetrical trigonal planar geometry μ = 0.
  • H₂O: Bent shape due to lone pairs μ ≠ 0.
  • HF: Linear asymmetric diatomic molecule μ ≠ 0.
  • NH₃: Trigonal pyramidal shape due to a lone pair μ ≠ 0.
  • CO₂: Symmetrical linear structure (O=C=O) where dipoles cancel out μ = 0.
  • SO₂: Bent angular geometry due to a lone pair μ ≠ 0.
Step 1: Final Counting

The molecules with a net zero dipole moment are CH₄, BF₃, and CO₂. This gives a total count of 3.

Pattern Recognition

Molecules with a symmetrical arrangement of identical bonds and no lone pairs on the central atom (e.g., tetrahedral CH₄, trigonal planar BF₃, linear CO₂) always have a net dipole moment of zero.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

More Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning

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