(1 point)
Responses
trigonal planar, because the arsenic atom forms three single covalent bonds and has no lone pairs
trigonal planar, because the arsenic atom forms three single covalent bonds and has no lone pairs
tetrahedral, because the arsenic atom forms bonds with the three atoms and the lone pair
tetrahedral, because the arsenic atom forms bonds with the three atoms and the lone pair
linear, because the arsenic atom forms bonds with only one other type of atom
linear, because the arsenic atom forms bonds with only one other type of atom
trigonal pyramidal, because the arsenic atom forms three single covalent bonds and has one lone pair
trigonal pyramidal, because the arsenic atom forms three single covalent bonds and has one lone pair
1 answer
The molecular shape of AsF3 (arsenic trifluoride) should be classified as trigonal pyramidal, because the arsenic atom forms three single covalent bonds and has one lone pair.
In VSEPR theory, the presence of the lone pair on the arsenic atom modifies the molecular geometry. While it does have three bonded fluorine atoms (which would suggest a trigonal planar arrangement), the lone pair pushes the bonded atoms down, resulting in a trigonal pyramidal shape.
