Given below are two statements: Statement (I) : for C F₃$\mathrm{C}\ell \mathrm{F}_{3}$ , all three possible structures may be drawn as follows.

Statement (II) : Structure III is most stable, as the orbitals having the lone pairs are axial, where the p-$\ell \mathfrak{p}-$ bp repulsion is minimum. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Related Formula

Core Logic

• Statement I is correct: The three structural arrangements represent the different ways to place three bond pairs and two lone pairs within a trigonal bipyramidal grid.
• Statement II is incorrect: According to VSEPR theory and Bent's rule, in sp³d$sp^3d$ hybridization, lone pairs must occupy equatorial positions to minimize strong 90^°$90^\circ$ lone pair-bond pair (p-bp$\ell p-bp$) repulsions. Placing them axially maximizes repulsions, making that structure the least stable, not the most stable.

Pattern Recognition

For sp³d$sp^3d$ configurations (Trigonal Bipyramidal), lone pairs ALWAYS prefer equatorial sites where they experience 120^circ$120^circ$ interactions, minimizing severe 90^circ$90^circ$ structural strains. This results in the classic stable T-shaped configuration for ClF₃$ClF_3$.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure