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Chapter 4: Problem 93

The structure of \(\operatorname{Te} \mathrm{F}_{5}^{-}\) is Draw a complete Lewis structure for \(\operatorname{TeF}_{5}^{-},\) and explain the distortion from the ideal square pyramidal structure. (See Exercise 26.)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Lewis structure for the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule consists of a central Tellurium (Te) atom surrounded by five Fluorine (F) atoms, with one lone pair on the Te atom. The ideal square pyramidal structure has central atom-bond angles of 90° and 180°. However, due to the presence of the lone pair on Te, repulsion forces between the lone pair and the bonding electrons in the \(Te-F\) bonds cause the molecule to distort from the ideal square pyramidal structure, leading to slightly smaller bond angles.

Step by step solution

01

Count the total number of valence electrons

First, let's determine the number of valence electrons in the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule. Tellurium (Te) belongs to group 16 and has 6 valence electrons, while Fluorine (F) belongs to group 17 and has 7 valence electrons. Since there are 5 Fluorine atoms and an extra electron due to the negative charge, the total number of valence electrons in the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule is: 6 (for Te) + 5 × 7 (for F) + 1 (extra electron) = 6 + 35 + 1 = 42
02

Arrange the atoms

Next, we will arrange the atoms for the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule. Tellurium (Te) will be the central atom, as it is less electronegative than Fluorine. The 5 Fluorine atoms will surround the Tellurium atom.
03

Generate a skeleton structure

Now let's create a skeleton structure for the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule. Connect each Fluorine atom to the central Tellurium atom with a single bond. This uses 10 electrons, leaving 32 remaining electrons.
04

Distribute the remaining electrons as lone pairs

We will now distribute the remaining 32 electrons as lone pairs around the surrounding Fluorine atoms. Each Fluorine atom needs 3 more lone pairs (6 electrons) to satisfy the octet rule. After placing these lone pairs, all the electrons have been used, and each atom has an octet of electrons.
05

Check the octet rule for all atoms

Finally, we need to ensure that the octet rule is satisfied for all atoms in the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule. All 5 Fluorine atoms have an octet of electrons, and the central Tellurium atom has 10 electrons (5 shared bonds with Fluorine and one lone pair). This exceeds the octet rule, but it is allowed as Tellurium is in the third period and can have an expanded octet.
06

Discuss the distortion from the ideal square pyramidal structure

The ideal square pyramidal structure should have a central atom bonded to 5 surrounding atoms, with bond angles of 90° and 180°. However, due to the presence of the lone pair on the central Tellurium atom, repulsion forces between the lone pair and the bonding electrons in the \(Te-F\) bonds cause the molecule to distort from the ideal square pyramidal structure. The lone pair's repulsion forces are stronger than those between the bonding electron pairs, so the angle between the \(Te-F\) bonds slightly decrease from 90° and 180°, leading to a distorted square pyramidal structure for the \(TeF_5^-\) molecule.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Using an MO energy-level diagram, would you expect \(\mathrm{F}_{2}\) to have a lower or higher first ionization energy than atomic fluorine? Why?

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