Question

Amongst the following, the number of species having the linear shape is $XeF _2, I _3^{+}, C _3 O _2, I _3^{-}, CO _2, SO _2, BeCl _2 \text { and } BCl _2^{\ominus}$

Hint:

In determining the shape of a molecule, consider the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs on the central atom, and use VSEPR theory.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 5

Solution: To determine the number of species with a linear shape, we analyze each molecule based on VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory.

• XeF₂: Xenon difluoride has 3 lone pairs and 2 bonding pairs on the central atom, adopting a linear shape.
• I₃⁺: Iodine trication typically has a V-shaped structure due to 2 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair.
• C₃O₂: Carbon suboxide is an oxide of carbon that has a linear structure.
• I₃^-: Iodide triiodide has 3 iodine atoms sharing the central iodine atom, forming a linear shape.
• CO₂: Carbon dioxide is linear with two double-bonded oxygen atoms on either side of carbon.
• SO₂: Sulfur dioxide is bent due to lone pair repulsion.
• BeCl₂: Beryllium chloride has 2 bonding pairs, forming a linear shape.
• BCl₂^⊖: Boron dichloride anion forms a bent structure because of its lone pairs.

From the analysis, the linear species are: XeF₂, C₃O₂, I₃^-, CO₂, BeCl₂. This counts to a total of 5 linear species.

Thus, the number of species with a linear shape is 5, which falls within the specified range of 5,5.