Question

The shape around the central form in ${\text{ClF}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{+}}$ is

• A. square planar
• B. square pyramidal
• C. octahedral
• D. see-saw

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Cl has 4 bonding pairs around it and 1 non-bonding pair is also present. If all 5 groups of electrons were involved in bonding, the shape would be trigonal bipyramidal. With one non-bonding pair, the shape becomes see-saw.