JEE Challenger
More from Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Identify Pyramidal Molecular Geometry Species

The species having pyramidal shape is

Options

A

SO3\text{SO}_3

B

BrF3\text{BrF}_3

C

SiO32−\text{SiO}_3^{2-}

D

OSF2\text{OSF}_2

Correct

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the molecular geometry (shape) of each given species, we use the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory and steric number calculations:

Steric Number (SN)=(Number of σ-bonds)+(Number of lone pairs on the central atom)\text{Steric Number (SN)} = (\text{Number of }\sigma\text{-bonds}) + (\text{Number of lone pairs on the central atom})


1. Analysis of SO3\text{SO}_3 (Sulfur trioxide)

  • Central atom: Sulfur (S\text{S}), which has 6 valence electrons.
  • Bonding: S\text{S} forms double bonds with three oxygen atoms (S=O\text{S}=\text{O}).
  • σ\sigma-bonds: 3
  • Lone pairs on S\text{S}: 6−(3×2)2=0\frac{6 - (3 \times 2)}{2} = 0
  • Steric Number: 3+0=33 + 0 = 3 (sp2sp^2 hybridized)
  • Geometry and Shape: Trigonal planar

2. Analysis of BrF3\text{BrF}_3 (Bromine trifluoride)

  • Central atom: Bromine (Br\text{Br}), which has 7 valence electrons.
  • Bonding: Br\text{Br} forms single bonds with three fluorine atoms (Br−F\text{Br}-\text{F}).
  • σ\sigma-bonds: 3
  • Lone pairs on Br\text{Br}: 7−32=2\frac{7 - 3}{2} = 2
  • Steric Number: 3+2=53 + 2 = 5 (sp3dsp^3d hybridized)
  • Geometry: Trigonal bipyramidal
  • Shape: T-shaped

3. Analysis of SiO32−\text{SiO}_3^{2-} (Silicate ion)

  • Central atom: Silicon (Si\text{Si}), which has 4 valence electrons (+2+ 2 electrons from the 2- charge = 6 electrons available for bonding).
  • Bonding: Si\text{Si} forms one double bond (Si=O\text{Si}=\text{O}) and two single bonds (Si−O−\text{Si}-\text{O}^-).
  • σ\sigma-bonds: 3
  • Lone pairs on Si\text{Si}: 6−(2+1+1)2=0\frac{6 - (2 + 1 + 1)}{2} = 0
  • Steric Number: 3+0=33 + 0 = 3 (sp2sp^2 hybridized)
  • Geometry and Shape: Trigonal planar

4. Analysis of OSF2\text{OSF}_2 (Thionyl fluoride)

  • Central atom: Sulfur (S\text{S}), which has 6 valence electrons.
  • Bonding: S\text{S} forms one double bond with oxygen (S=O\text{S}=\text{O}, using 2 electrons) and two single bonds with fluorine (S−F\text{S}-\text{F}, using 2 electrons).
  • σ\sigma-bonds: 1 (from S=O)+2 (from S−F)=31\,(\text{from S}=\text{O}) + 2\,(\text{from S}-\text{F}) = 3
  • Lone pairs on S\text{S}: 6−(2+1+1)2=1\frac{6 - (2 + 1 + 1)}{2} = 1
  • Steric Number: 3+1=43 + 1 = 4 (sp3sp^3 hybridized)
  • Electron Geometry: Tetrahedral
  • Molecular Shape: Trigonal Pyramidal (or Pyramidal)

Conclusion

Among the given options, OSF2\text{OSF}_2 has 3 bond pairs and 1 lone pair on the central sulfur atom, resulting in a pyramidal molecular shape.

Correct Option: D